(Ottawa, ON) – National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is encouraged by today’s designation of the Long Plain and Shubenacadie Residential Schools as National Historical Sites. This ensures the tragic history of residential schools and survivors will not be forgotten by future generations.
“I lift up and honour those we lost in the Indian Residential School System, the Survivors of these schools, and their families,” said National Chief Bellegarde. “First Nations and all Canadians must know the truth about what happened in these institutions and why. This designation is another step toward Canada fully recognizing the human rights violations that took place in Residential Schools. We all must understand the devastating impacts the Residential Schools had, and continue to have, on our First Nations cultures, languages, and families here and throughout this country.”
The AFN would also like to recognize and honour all the people who worked so hard to make this happen, including Parks Canada, all those who participated in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the leadership of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.
For more information please contact:
Michael Hutchinson
Interim Communications Director
Assembly of First Nations
613-859-6831 (cell)
[email protected]
Karen Joyner
Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
613-292-0857 (cell)
[email protected]