wfn.org | June 11 Apology Must Be a Defining Moment in Canadian History

["Broadhurst, Tom" <tbroadhu@united-church.ca>]

For Immediate Release -- Monday, June 2, 2008

June 11 Apology Must Be a Defining Moment in Canadian  History

Toronto:  In a letter sent to Stephen Harper, The Uni ted Church of
Canada has urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the  June 11 apology
to residential school survivors and their families is an  occasion that
will be experienced as a defining moment in the healing  of our nation.

The church's letter also echoes the concerns raised by  the National
Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine,  in an open letter
on April 22. In that letter Chief Fontaine lamented the  absence of
direct consultation with Aboriginal leaders and survivors a bout the
content of the national apology.

The United Church says it agrees that consultation with  those who have
been directly affected by the legacy of residential schoo ls is
essential.

"Such consultation is critical in order that survivors ex perience the
apology as full, genuine, and substantial," writes the Mo derator, the
Right Rev. David Giuliano.

The church's letter urges the Prime Minister "to meet w ith Aboriginal
leaders and survivor representatives as soon as possible  so that the
apology might achieve the hopes that so many of us ha ve for it."

The Rev. James Scott is the United Church's General Cou ncil Officer for
Residential Schools. He says the church sees the apology  as having
immense importance in the national healing process and in  fulfilling the
hopes and intentions of the overall Indian Residential Sc hools
Settlement Agreement.

"In offering our own apologies, the United Church has c ome to understand
both the real and symbolic importance of apology in the  healing journey
of those who were harmed by the schools," explains Scot t. "And
apologizing has also been the first step in our church' s own journey of
recovery and healing from the attitudes that led to the  schools in the
first place."

Scott adds that the apology is also a vital element i n meeting the
objectives of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for  broad public
awareness and ownership of the residential school legacy.

"The offering of this apology should be an event of s ingular
significance in the unfolding of our national story," say s Scott. "It is
therefore absolutely critical that the presentation of the  apology be
consistent with the import of its message and the need  to generate an
extraordinary level of public attention."

The Moderator concludes his letter to the Prime Minister  with the
following words of encouragement and support:

"We believe in the power of reconciliation. We believe  in the
possibility of healing, of new beginnings, even out of  the devastation
of such a tragic policy as the Indian residential schoo l system. The
national apology offers the opportunity to begin the proc ess of healing,
forgiveness, and reconciliation. The legacy of a national  apology to
survivors and their families can be the foundation on w hich our nation
builds a new and hopeful future.

"We look to your leadership in offering a full, honest,  and sincere
national apology. Such an apology would be a profoundly  important
platform on which to renew a relationship of respect, e quality, and
justice between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples across  this great
land. We offer you our prayerful support in this task."

For further information, please contact:

>Mary-Frances Denis
>Communications Officer
>The United Church of Canada
>416-231-7680 ext. 2016 (office)
>1-800-268-3781 ext. 2016 (toll-free)
>416-885-7478 (cell)
>416-766-0057 (home)
>mdenis@united-church.ca

>--30--

This message contains information that may be privileged or confidential and is the property of The United Churc h of Canada. It is intended for the sole use of the i ntended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you a re not authorized to read, print, retain copy, disseminate, distribute, or use this message or any part thereof. If you receive this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of this me ssage.