We Do Not Accept Steven Harper’s “Apology” To Us!
Here’s Why:
- There can be no apology for murder and genocide.
Tens of thousands of children died in the residential schools, and thousands more die every year from the effects. Words cannot bring back the dead: only justice can make them rest easier.
- No-one is being held accountable.
Justice is being subverted by the very men who are “apologizing” to us. While admitting intentional genocide, the Harper government refuses to name or prosecute those responsible.
- Actions speak louder than words.
- Harper’s government has disqualified nearly half of residential school survivors from any compensation
- Harper’s so-called “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” will not allow us to name our abusers or any misconduct in a residential school; nor will it conduct any kind of criminal investigation into the schools
- The children who died there will not be brought home
- Harper’s government refuses to sign the U.N. Convention on Indigenous Rights or abolish the apartheid Indian Act
Here’s What We Want:
- Put the Government and Churches of Canada on Trial: Launch an independent Inquiry into the Canadian genocide with the power to subpoena, prosecute and imprison those responsible.
- Return the children now: Force the Catholic, Anglican and United Churches to return the remains of the children who died in the residential schools, and surrender their murderers.
- Stop the continued genocide of our people and land: Evict the government, churches and corporations from our land, and declare absolute sovereignty over our traditional territories.
Harper’s “apology” changes nothing, and does not absolve his government or these churches from their liability and responsibility for residential school crimes. We consider them criminals under tribal and international law, and will seek their conviction in the months ahead.
We are the Friends and Relatives of the Disappeared
Pager: 1-888-265-1007
The FRD is a coalition of native and non-native people in four cities across Canada. It includes in its ranks hereditary chiefs and elders, and residential school and intergenerational survivors. It is a co-founder of the independent International Human Rights Tribunal into Genocide in Canada.
Issued June 21, 2008
Summer Solstice
on Squamish Nation territory ("Vancouver, Canada")
Please distribute this statement to your local media, and at facilities of the government and the Catholic, Anglican and United Church across Canada.
Reminder: The Vancouver FRD will present this statement this Monday, June 23 at 10 am at the office of the government's IRSRC, 1166 Alberni street in downtown Vancouver (off Burrard).
We Do Not Accept Steven Harper’s “Apology” To Us!
Here’s Why:
- There can be no apology for murder and genocide.
Tens of thousands of children died in the residential schools, and thousands more die every year from the effects. Words cannot bring back the dead: only justice can make them rest easier.
- No-one is being held accountable.
Justice is being subverted by the very men who are “apologizing” to us. While admitting intentional genocide, the Harper government refuses to name or prosecute those responsible.
- Actions speak louder than words.
- Harper’s government has disqualified nearly half of residential school survivors from any compensation
- Harper’s so-called “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” will not allow us to name our abusers or any misconduct in a residential school; nor will it conduct any kind of criminal investigation into the schools
- The children who died there will not be brought home
- Harper’s government refuses to sign the U.N. Convention on Indigenous Rights or abolish the apartheid Indian Act
Here’s What We Want:
- Put the Government and Churches of Canada on Trial: Launch an independent Inquiry into the Canadian genocide with the power to subpoena, prosecute and imprison those responsible.
- Return the children now: Force the Catholic, Anglican and United Churches to return the remains of the children who died in the residential schools, and surrender their murderers.
- Stop the continued genocide of our people and land: Evict the government, churches and corporations from our land, and declare absolute sovereignty over our traditional territories.
Harper’s “apology” changes nothing, and does not absolve his government or these churches from their liability and responsibility for residential school crimes. We consider them criminals under tribal and international law, and will seek their conviction in the months ahead.
We are the Friends and Relatives of the Disappeared
Pager: 1-888-265-1007
The FRD is a coalition of native and non-native people in four cities across Canada. It includes in its ranks hereditary chiefs and elders, and residential school and intergenerational survivors. It is a co-founder of the independent International Human Rights Tribunal into Genocide in Canada.
Issued June 21, 2008
Summer Solstice
on Squamish Nation territory ("Vancouver, Canada")
Please distribute this statement to your local media, and at facilities of the government and the Catholic, Anglican and United Church across Canada.
Reminder: The Vancouver FRD will present this statement this Monday, June 23 at 10 am at the office of the government's IRSRC, 1166 Alberni street in downtown Vancouver (off Burrard).