Hon. Brian Francis: Honourable senators, yesterday we marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, an annual opportunity to honour all the children who died or disappeared at residential schools and associated sites as well as those who continue to grapple with the resulting intergenerational trauma.
Colleagues, September 30 is not just a day on the calendar, but a call to listen, learn and act. I hope that you paused on or around the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to dive deeper into our shared past and present, including by participating in educational and commemorative activities.
On Sunday, I joined Senator Boyer and Senator White in this chamber to honour nine remarkable First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals nominated for the King Charles III Coronation Medal by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. They were Dorene Bernard, Jacquie Bouvier, Levinia Brown, Edna Elias, Richard Ejinagosi Kistabish, Laurie McDonald, Brian Normand, Dennis Saddleman and Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux.
This prestigious honour is a fitting recognition of the work this group has done — and continues to do — to advance reconciliation in Canada.
Without the unwavering strength, courage and determination shown by Survivors and intergenerational Survivors like them, Canada would not have entered into the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, created the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation or observed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which I am incredibly proud to have helped become a reality back in 2021.
Colleagues, as we mark the tenth anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report, this September 30 offers a significant moment of national reflection on the progress made and the work still ahead.
With most of the 94 Calls to Action yet to be meaningfully answered, Canada must resist the pull of competing pressures at home and abroad and demonstrate a renewed focus on advancing truth before lasting reconciliation.
Wela’lin. Meegwetch. Thank you.