Prime Minister marks Truth and Reconciliation Day at Edmonton historic site

Analysis

Prime Minister Mark Carney attended a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremony at Fort Edmonton Park on Wednesday, calling for action on the enduring truth of residential schools.

"Today is about all the truth," Carney told those gathered, emphasizing the day was about remembering the children who attended residential schools, the survivors who carried those experiences forward, and those who never returned home.

READ MORE: Truth and Reconciliation Day events confront residential school denialism

READ MORE: Events and closures mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation across Canada

He said the ceremony urged everyone to hear the stories of those affected by the residential school system and "reflect on a dark chapter in Canada’s past and to commit to move forward together."

"This is not a distant chapter in Canada’s past, but a truth that endures," said Carney, who wore an orange tie and a pin of a beaded orange T-shirt on his lapel.

Ceremony emphasizes listening and truth

Carney said more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children attended residential schools, many of whom were separated from their homes, families, cultures, languages and identities.

"Some never came home," he said.

He argued that remembering the truth means refusing to separate Indigenous culture from the history of residential schools.

"We shouldn’t choose which parts of our history to remember," Carney said. "We shouldn’t admire the beadwork and forget the children that were forced into uniforms. We should not honour the drum and ignore the years that it was made to fall silent. And we should not hear the truth of residential schools and fail to act on it."

He recognized the more than 6,600 people who shared their experiences with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

"Because of that courage, it’s now on the record, and responding to these truths is now our responsibility," Carney said.

Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani also spoke, emphasizing the importance of learning about treaties as part of reconciliation.

"We are all treaty people," Lakhani said. "All partners in these treaty relationships."

She said reconciliation begins with listening.

"Those conversations have deepened my understanding and reinforced an important lesson: reconciliation begins with listening," she said, describing that as listening with humility, learning with an open heart and taking meaningful action.

Survivors and advocates reflect on the day's weight

For many at the gathering, the day was one of sombre remembrance.

"Days like today are not necessarily happy days for us, they’re actually quite sad and heavy," said Jasmine Hannig, an Indigenous social worker who attended the event.

She said the day commemorates more than just residential schools.

"Not only residential schooling had an impact, but so did the Sixties Scoop, day schools, boarding schools, the 90s scoop and many other colonial aspects," Hannig said of the intergenerational trauma First Nations people have suffered.

Chief Desmond Bull from the Louis Bull First Nation in Maskwacis said the work of truth and reconciliation is continuous.

"Truth and reconciliation, definitely for Indigenous people, is not just one day. It’s a life that we live," Bull said. "More importantly, the acknowledgement of our ancestors that went through residential school."

Treaty Six representative and Alexander First Nation Chief George Arcand Jr. spoke about the challenge of truth in the face of misinformation.

"The truth First Nations know so well can be difficult," Arcand said. "And we see it rejected, replaced with opinion and misinformation. Untruths about Canada’s past stand directly in the way of healing our relationship and moving forward in a good way together."

He said the day belonged to survivors, thanking them for their strength and resilience.

Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack noted that Alberta was home to more residential schools than any other province or territory.

Events held nationwide

Across the country, other events marked the federal statutory holiday, which was established after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action.

In Ottawa, Governor General Louise Arbour joined a national commemorative gathering on the parliamentary front lawn to honour those lost or impacted by the residential school system.

In Montreal, the Native Women's Shelter of Montreal organized the Every Child Matters march, which began at Westmount Park and ended at Cabot Square.

An immersive exhibition at the Université du Québec allowed visitors to learn about the 11 Indigenous languages spoken across the province and the repercussions of assimilation policies.

In the Mi'kmaw community of Gesgapegiag, a healing walk honoured the children who never returned home from residential schools.

At Fort Edmonton Park, about 2,000 people were expected to walk through the Indigenous People’s Experience, an immersive exhibit open year-round.

"The immersive experience in here is really about the fact that you’re learning about us in a broader sense," said Evert Poor, an event manager at the park. "This space basically teaches you the true history of our people."

Carney concluded his remarks by framing reconciliation as an ongoing journey.

"Reconciliation is a journey, not a destination. It’s an attitude, not an achievement," Carney said. "Our job is to move together as far and as fast down the path as we can."

Nosy Mag reported earlier this week on events planned across Canada for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

With files from The Canadian Press, Global News and CBC News