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May 30, 2005 Assembly of First Nations National Chief Signs Historic Political Accord to resolve the Legacy of Residential Schools
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine today signed an historic political Accord with the federal government that recognizes the need for reconciliation and healing - not just compensation, to resolve the tragic and profound harms caused by residential schools. “With this Political Accord, Canada has recognized that the AFN must play a key and central role in the resolution of the Indian Residential School legacy,” states the National Chief. “Canada has committed to an approach which will finally deal with the tragic legacy of the residential schools in a fair and just manner,” said the National Chief. “This accord will not only result in a better, faster and more economic claims process for residential schools survivors who were abused, it is a commitment for the entire country to move forward through a national dialogue on healing, reconciliation, commemoration and truth-sharing. This is a holistic way to deal with this terrible, tragic legacy of our shared past.”
Today’s Accord is based on the AFN’s Report on Canada’s Dispute Resolution Plan to Compensate for Abuses in Indian Residential Schools released last November. The Accord provides the key elements for a new approach: a national apology; an improved compensation process for serious abuse victims, a lump sum payment for former students; and a national forum for a comprehensive truth and reconciliation process. The agreement also calls for an expedited process to resolve the claims of the sick and elderly. The AFN’s report and approach has been endorsed by residential schools survivors, lawyers involved in the class action cases and the churches. The National Chief stated that this is a crucial time for First Nations survivors, given the average age is 60. “Today, I am mindful of all the thousands of our people who were victims of residential schools. In particular, I am remembering those who have already passed on,” said National Chief Fontaine. “They will not benefit from today’s announcement but they are central to our quest to see that justice is done for all survivors. We hope that their children and grandchildren will see some benefit from today’s signing and perhaps even some small measure of peace and healing. It is in that spirit that I am signing this Accord on behalf of all the former students of residential schools.” National Chief Fontaine noted that the timing of today’s signing is highly significant, as the AFN is preparing for another historic event which is the meeting with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal Affairs tomorrow. “Tomorrow, we are meeting with the Prime Minister and his key Ministers to talk about the future of our people in Canada,” said the National Chief. “By dealing with the evils of the past, as we have today, we make is possible to truly move forward in a new relationship based on reconciliation, respect and recognition.” Today’s agreement calls for the appointment of a government negotiator who will work with all the parties and the Government of Canada. The Honourable Anne McLellan, signing on behalf of the Government of Canada in her role as Minister responsible for the Office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution, today announced the appointment of the Honourable Frank Iacobucci, a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, as the negotiator.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
Contacts: Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief |
