June 21st, 2021 marked the 25th anniversary of the celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada.
Assembly of First Nations chief Perry Bellegarde pointed out the special significance of this year’s celebration and challenged all Canadians to pursue a greater role in effecting change. In a video statement prepared for today he urged Canada to take action
Chief Bellegarde called on the federal government to act upon and fulfill every single one of the 94 calls to action identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015.
He also pointed out the tragic significance of the recent discovery of the graves of 215 children at a former residential school in B.C.
While other provinces have set aside funding for exploration, B.C. has not announced any to search the 17 residential school sites in the province.
At least 150,000 Indigenous children were forced into residential schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission said that at least 3,200 died as a result of disease, neglect, malnutrition as well as physical and sexual abuse.
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