Assembly of First Nations communique on the National Day of Reconciliation
A Communiqué from National Chief Phil Fontaine May 28, 2009
The purpose of this Bulletin is to provide an update on key issues of importance to First Nations. There are many activities and initiatives underway at the AFN. This Bulletin does not cover all of them but does provide information on matters that are of high interest.
Note that the AFN holds regular conference calls to share information with First Nations and provincial and territorial organizations. The conference calls take place every other Thursday at 12 noon (Ottawa time). If you would like to participate in these calls, please contact Karen Campbell at (613) 241-6789 ext. 263 or kcampbell@afn.ca..
National Day of Reconciliation – June 11, 2009
Two weeks from today, June 11, will mark the one-year anniversary of the Prime Minister’s Apology on behalf of the Government of Canada to Indian Residential School Survivors.
The Prime Minister spoke strongly and movingly, and declared that all Canadians will join us on our journey of healing. To mark the anniversary of the Apology, the Assembly of First Nations is organizing a National Day of Reconciliation for June 11. It will be a day to assess what has and has not happened over the past year, and to talk about how we as a country can put meaningful action to the many fine words that have been given to First Nations by way of apologies for the residential school era.
We once again offer our hand to work in partnership with the governments, the Churches, and the people of Canada to make this country a better place for First Nation people, and all Canadians.
This is a time for all Canadians to ask: What can our community do to mark the National Day of Reconciliation?
At 11 a.m. on June 11th, we are asking every church in the country to ring their bells as a show of solidarity with First Nations. We also want First Nations leaders – indeed, any concerned Canadian – to organize events and activities that will help educate Canadians about our peoples, our cultures, our goals and aspirations, and the urgent priority to eradicate First Nations poverty.
We want to work with all levels of government on a comprehensive plan that lifts First Nations out of poverty.
We want all levels of government to address equal funding for schools on First Nations.
We want all levels of government to tackle the inequity facing our child welfare agencies.
Action on these matters is one step towards bringing First Nations to the same quality of life that other Canadians enjoy.
We invite labour unions, church members, students and youth, federal and provincial governments, the private sector and all who believe in justice and fairness to work with us in finding ways to address these confounding/systemic problems.
This requires First Nations to reach out to their neighbours for help to address these complex issues. The Day of Reconciliation can be marked off as the day Canadians came together to start the process of understanding one another and working together.
In Ottawa, we will begin the day with a sunrise ceremony on Victoria Island and will march in solidarity to Parliament Hill with church leaders, politicians, youth and Elders, men and women and Canadians from all walks of life.
This June 11th, we are asking Canadians to join us in the in the call to eliminate poverty for First Nations. We’ve welcomed the apologies. Now we want to work together and take action.
Please see the attached Information Sheet that you can distribute in your area.
Meegwetch!
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