Assembly of First Nations encouraging everyone to march on June 11 for action on native poverty
March to urge action on native poverty
OTTAWA — Native people will mark the one-year anniversary of Ottawa's historic apology for racist abuse by marching against poverty.
Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, is calling on Canadians to join a national day of reconciliation on June 11.
Fontaine is calling for peaceful marches across the country and on Parliament Hill - not protests or blockades.
He says too many aboriginal communities lack decent schools, clean water and adequate health care.
About 27,000 native children are in foster care, far more than lived in residential schools at their height.
The Harper government apologized last June 11 for decades of racist policy that tried to snuff native culture and "kill the Indian in the child."
Fontaine says it's time to follow that gesture with action on native housing and other urgent needs.
Former residential school students are also anxiously awaiting the start of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The $60-million truth-telling forum on abuses in residential schools was derailed last October when former head commissioner Justice Harry LaForme stepped down.
LaForme quit amid a power struggle with commissioners Jane Brewin Morley and Claudette Dumont-Smith. Both women later quit to clear the way for a new panel.
Justice Murray Sinclair of the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench has long been rumoured as a front-running candidate to replace LaForme. Sinclair declined an interview request.
The federal government is expected to confirm his appointment any day along with two other commissioners.
Fontaine says he hopes their work and the events of June 11 will help native people put a still painful past behind them.
"We've gratefully accepted apologies from the government and the churches," he said of the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and United churches that ran the now-defunct schools.
"Now we all want to see some action."