One Harper issues apology for residential schools, another Harper forgives

By David F. Dawes

A much-anticipated apology was the centre of attention in Ottawa June 11, as Prime Minister Stephen Harper acknowledged the damage done to many Aboriginal Canadians by the notorious residential schools system.

The apology was seen by many as a crucial component of the long sought resolution of the scandal, in conjunction with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) now being conducted.

Speaking at a special session of Parliament, which was watched across the country as part of a variety of events focusing on the apology, Harper was blunt in his assessment of the tragedy.

The residential school system, he said, was "based on the assumption aboriginal cultures and spiritual beliefs were inferior and unequal. Indeed, some sought, as it was infamously said, 'to kill the Indian in the child.' Today, we recognize that this policy of assimilation was wrong, [and] has caused great harm."

The prime minister cited a litany of abuses: "Very young children were often forcibly removed from their homes, often taken far from their communities. Many were inadequately fed, clothed and housed. All were deprived of the care and nurturing of their parents, grandparents and communities."

Further, he noted, "languages and cultural practices were prohibited in these schools. Tragically, some of these children died . . . and others never returned home."

Harper acknowledged that "some former students have spoken positively about their experiences." However, he emphasized that their testimonies "are far overshadowed by tragic accounts of the emotional, physical and sexual abuse and neglect of helpless children."

The response of opposition leaders to the apology itself was positive, but with some qualification.

Liberal Stephane Dion said the apology must lead to "collective reconciliation and fundamental changes. It must be about moving forward together, aboriginal and non-aboriginal, into a future based on respect."

NDP Leader Jack Layton echoed those sentiments, calling the apology "the moment where we start to begin a shared future on equal footing."

Many Natives who responded to the apology in stories published online immediately after Harper's speech received the prime minister's words graciously.

Guelph NDP candidate Tom King, however, was dismissive. "It is a symbolic act and it is really in the end no more than that," he told the CanWest News Service.

King, who is part Cherokee and was a student at an American residential school, added that the apology "is not going to change the history that we have had to live with and that many people will have to deal with. It is not going to change the damage that was done to native families, to reserves, to tribes across Canada."

The most high profile Canadian Native leader, however, was effusive. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine said the apology was "nothing less than the accomplishment of the impossible."

Parliament, he said, will "never again . . . consider us the Indian problem just for being who we are." The federal government, he added, has taken "full responsibility for this dreadful chapter in our shared history. We heard the prime minister declare that this will never happen again. Finally, we heard Canada say it is sorry."

One key observer of the apology and the reconciliation process is Elijah Harper. The former MP, best known for his role in defeating the Meech Lake Accord, participated in the launching of the TRC, and like Fontaine, he is also a survivor of the residential school system.

"It was a great day; it's a new beginning," he told CC.com in an exclusive interview by phone from Ottawa, a few hours after the events on Parliament Hill. "The prime minister, by expressing the apology, is helping the healing begin." Most importantly, he said, "the government asked for forgiveness. On a personal level, I do forgive. I had done so already."

Harper cautioned that government leaders "need to have a vision for the next steps forward. They need to take a good look at the institutions and laws which caused the root of this problem."

However, he said, the apology was cause for genuine hope. "On the spiritual side, the prime minister has released the bondage which has held us in place for so many years. He put a stop to this. It was a renewal of the spirit of cooperation."

The TRC could play a critical role in addressing the history and scale of the tragedy, if it is conducted properly, he said. The commission "has to be sensitive. There will have to be an atmosphere where people don't feel intimidated. Some elders will require translation of their experiences."

The TRC "doesn't have the legal authority to compel people," he noted. "It will result in a study; but we've had so many studies done." Nevertheless, he said, "I think it will capture the harm done, and the feelings of the people."

There will be inevitable omissions, he added. "Obviously, they can't hear from everybody. Some things will be criminal in nature, and need to be handled legally."

He also expressed caution, citing the limitations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission held in South Africa some years ago. Some participants, he said, "felt re-victimized. There were no support systems in place."

Despite possible inadequacies, he said, the TRC "will bring some healing, for some people."

Last March in Winnipeg, Harper participated in 'Remembering the Children' -- one of a series of events held in major Canadian cities, introducing the public to the TRC. Also participating were leaders of the United Church of Canada, the Roman Catholic Church, the Presbyterian Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada -- all churches which once ran residential schools.

That event, said Harper, "was a bringing together of the churches. It was opening up the doors to the process of reconciliation.

"For me, it was important that the heads of the churches be there. The spiritual side of the issue is very central. Many people are expecting that this will be the beginning of a new relationship."

Reconciliation, he asserted, "needs to be more clearly defined. According to the dictionary, it means 'to make things right.' How do you go abut making things right? There are consequences to sin, and they won't go away -- regardless of whether there's an apology."

Harper compared the damage done to Natives with a woman who has become pregnant because of rape. "There are consequences for the government," he said. "Many people have lost languages, and cultural identity. How do we address that?"

The catastrophe, he pointed out, has affected several generations. Many contemporary Natives, he maintained, "are physically going through the motions of being an Indian, but inside, they are missing fulfillment."

The roots of this malady extend back to Canada's early history, he said. "When we signed treaties, that meant we were equal partners. But the government proceeded to enact legislation -- without the input of First Nations people -- to assimilate us.

"The Indian Act did not recognize us as persons. We were being excluded deliberately. The education policies led to the residential schools. This destroyed our people -- their identity, and their dignity."

He cited an example of an Ojibway women, who told him of a humiliating incident some 60 years ago as a student. She was saying the Lord's Prayer in her own language. A priest slapped her, and ordered her not to use "the devil's language."

His own experience, he said, was not quite as harsh, but marked him nonetheless. "I experienced abuse -- physically and psychologically. One was removed from one's loving community. This was a form of abuse, being torn away from our loved ones.

"I was able to survive because I knew who I was. My identity was strong. I spoke my own language; I was steeped in my culture. What I didn't appreciate was the fact that our people were denied their language. They were unable to pray in the language God gave us, or to express love and joy."

A heritage of Christian faith in his family -- including his father's work as a pastor at Christian Assemblies in Steinbach, Manitoba -- helped him deal with the effects of the tragedy.

"I was able to be strong because of my dad's faith. I knew the scriptures; that's how I was raised. I was able to survive because of my faith."

It also helped him with the process of forgiveness. "Many I have spoken to say they will forgive. But many won't. Forgiving is something in me which comes from the heart."

Asked what non-Native Christians could do to help facilitate reconciliation, Harper said: "There needs to be an understanding of the experiences of First Nations people. There are many things people in the church did to our people.

"There are many reasons why our people don't feel part of Canadian society. We have to start talking, finding common ground."

Jesus, he noted, "is the one who reached out to everybody -- even Zaccheus the tax collector. There needs to be a reaching out from the non-Aboriginal community -- especially the Christian community."

Harper concluded by sharing a personal anecdote. As the crowd filed out after the prime minister's apology, he encountered 100 Huntley Street's David Mainse -- who, he said, "was touched by the whole event."

Because of Harper's status as a former MP, he said, "I'm allowed to have access to the floor. David Mainse and I went downstairs to the Speaker's Chair. We knelt down at the chair, and prayed together -- and I expressed my forgiveness in my prayer."

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