10th anniversary of the apology to former students of residential schools

Warning!

This website deals with topics that may cause trauma invoked by memories of past abuse. The Government of Canada recognizes the need for safety measures to minimize the risk associated with triggering. A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides support for former residential school students. You can access emotional and crisis referral services and other health supports from the Government of Canada. Please call the Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 if you or someone you know is triggered while reading the content on this website.

June 11, 2018 is the 10th anniversary of the apology to former students of Federal residential schools.

Consult:

Historic milestone in journey toward reconciliation

The Government of Canada recognizes that true and lasting reconciliation cannot be achieved through any one single agreement and that the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement is not a complete answer to the wrongs of the past or the challenges of the present. We know there is more to do, including working with the Metis Nation and all other Indigenous peoples to address the legacy of federal Indian residential schools and ensure they feel part of Canada’s efforts to address past wrongs. We will continue to work together to advance reconciliation, and support the promotion of Indigenous culture, commemoration, and the healing and well-being of those affected by the harmful policies of the past.

In this spirit, the 2008 apology to former students of federal residential schools has been translated into seven Indigenous languages so that survivors can read the apology in the languages they were forbidden to use at these schools:

Find electronic copies of the 2008 apology in Indigenous languages in printable PDF format on the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's website by clicking on the fourth item in the header called Indian Residential Schools Apology.

Initiatives

Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement

  • Nearly 80,000 former federal residential school students have received a Common Experience Payment, totaling $1.6 billion in compensation.
  • An additional $3 billion in compensation has been paid to resolve claims of sexual abuse, serious physical abuse, and other wrongful acts that have caused serious psychological harm to former students.
  • In March 2018, the Government of Canada announced it would pursue negotiated settlements with survivors whose claims of student-on-student abuse were previously dismissed or under-compensated.
  • As well, $125 million was provided to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation for community-based healing initiatives and over $20 million for 144 commemoration projects in every province or territory where an Indian residential school existed.

By acknowledging the past and educating Canadians about the experiences of Indigenous children in these schools, we can ensure that this history and its lasting impact is never forgotten.

Find out more about the Indian Residential Schools Agreement.

Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

The Government of Canada is committed to working with partners to ensure each and every one of the Calls to Action is implemented and is tracking this progress online through a new series of webpages.

Find out more at Delivering on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action

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