This story contains information pertaining to Canada's role in creating and maintaining residential schools for over 150 years. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone in your family survived residential schools, the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available 24/7. You can call 1-866-925-4419 toll-free for crisis support.
"The first thing that comes to mind is the effect it had on the people. You know, my parents, my grandparents, my great grandparents, all my extended family, all my relatives, the effect, the history of Canada had on the people. [Those are] the first things that come in my mind and the healing that is needed, and that healing that is continuing and the relationships that need to be built even more."
Jonathan Pasap has been the chief of White Bear First Nation for over a year. In an exclusive interview, he shared what the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation means to him and its cultural significance moving forward. He is calling for unity and tough conversations to help carve a path for a better future for all Canadians.
"There are 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The one thing that could be done immediately is is learn. Learn one action. Learn one of those actions and talk about it. Whether it's about child welfare, education, culture, health, justice, the Royal Proclamation -- learn any one of those 94 calls to action to help have that conversation so we can find something common together."
Residential schools came about in the early 1600s in Canada by Catholic nuns and priests. By 1883, the federal government funded the creation of the residential school system. The goal is to assimilate Indigenous children into white, Christian society. According to the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, over 130 residential schools were created, with 20 situated in Saskatchewan. 150,000 children were sent to Indian Residential Schools, many of which never returned home. The last standing residential school is the Muscowequan Residential School, located in Muskowekwan First Nation, northeast of Regina. It was officially closed in 1997.
Pasap added that having conversations surrounding truth and reconciliation isn't meant to place blame or to cause grief on anyone. He's hoping for everyone to recognize the damage and the harm that the residential school system caused to First Nations people to ensure it never happens again.
"As a society, we can move on and go on a well-deserved healing journey together."
While there is still a lot of work to do, he's seen a shift in how people have honoured the holiday. Pasap said that he's seen momentum build in recognition as the conversations grew louder surrounding truth and reconciliation.
"In the past years, that didn't happen as much, but we're seeing it more and more in all areas of communication, whether it's through the television, social media, radio, everywhere. So I think that shows that there's some good things happening out of this day."
"We'd like to say to everyone that this isn't just one day of the year. Truth and reconciliation can happen every day where you to spend some time to learn about the...history of residential schools. Learn about the 94 Calls to Action," Pasap said. "If we can learn a little bit more every day, then we can definitely grow together more and more."
After the creation of the 94 Calls to Action report in 2015, the Canadian government responded to each call. The last update was in June 2023, which can be found here.
The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to former Indian Residential School students and their families. You can call 1-866-925-4419 toll-free, 24 hours a day for crisis support.
You can find the '94 Calls to Action' report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada on the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website.
A list of the known children who passed away as a result of attending Indian Residential Schools can be found here.