On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a local Indigenous leader is asking that we do one thing first and foremost – remember and honour all children who are suffering.
Curve Lake Chief Keith Knott says there’s “no band-aid solution” to rectifying what occurred in 140 federally-run residential schools across Canada, noting time and understanding is what is needed most. Chief Carr adds children who are suffering should be acknowledged every day.
While encouraged that Canadians are “starting to listen more” and understand the toll that residential schools took on children, Chief Knott says true reconciliation remains a long-term process.
While remembering and discussing what children suffered in the residential school system is painful, Chief Knott says we need to hear and share painful stories in order to move closer to what is needed most.
Chief Knott says today will be a particularly sombre one for the Curve Lake First Nation community, with a walk remembering residential school children – those who survived and those who did not – preceded by the funeral for a highly respected member who recently passed away.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)
