Canada’s Residential School Survivors Angry Over Minister’s Statement

Canada’s Residential School Survivors Angry Over Minister’s Statement

By SONJA DECHIAN | Published: NOVEMBER 7, 2011

Canada’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister faced criticism last week after he said the country’s Indian residential school system was not a case of genocide. Minister John Duncan made the statement during the announcement that a stained glass artwork would be commissioned in honor of residential school survivors.

Residential schools were part of the Canadian government’s policy of ‘aggressive assimilation,’ and are the subject of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) has reported in depth on the topic, including interviews with survivors, and news blog Rabble.ca has an opinion piece addressing the issue further.