Opinion
First Nations children left out to dry in Liberal government’s priorities
By Jenn Jefferys Apr. 20, 2016
'Somewhere between the press conferences, flights to Sweden and photo ops with Barack Obama, one extremely important demographic' has been forgotten.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stands with Marie Wilson, Chief Wilton Littlechild and Justice Murray Sinclair at the December 15, 2015 release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report on the Canadian residential schools. Despite Mr. Trudeau's genuine passion at the event, Jenn Jeffery's says the 2016 budget falls "far below" expectations for First Nations children. Power and Influence Photograph by Jake Wright
Not long ago, I stood just a few metres back from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the day the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report on the Canadian residential school legacy. The air in the room was heavy, sobering, and rich with sage. Many, if not all, of our eyes, were clouded by tears as we looked on to witness Justice Murray Sinclair, Chief Wilton Littlechild, and Dr. Marie Wilson collectively cap off an historic six-year mandate—one that laid bare the horrifying residential school experience for what it was: a sickening, culturally genocidal institution designed by racists to “kill the Indian in the child.”
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