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Le 11 juin 2008, le Premier ministre Stephen Harper au nom du peuple canadien a présenté des excuses à l'égard des enfants autochtones jadis gardés dans des pensionnats. Les ministres de l'opposition Stéphane Dion, Jack Layton et Gilles Duceppe ont fait de même. Tous les chefs des organisations nationales d'autochtones ont réagi positivement à cet exercice public. En sa qualité de présidente nationale de l'Associations de femmes autochtones du Canada, l'auteure a eu la responsabilité de diffuser ce message afin que tous en prennent connaissance. Elle en fut honorée et au nom des femmes autochtones du Canada elle a parlé du fond du coeur en témoignant de l'impact de ce système scolaire spécialement sur les femmes autochtones.
On June 11, 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, on behalf of the Canadian government, made a Statement of Apology to former students of residential schools. All Opposition leaders, Stephane Dion, Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe, also made statements of apology. All Aboriginal leaders of the National Aboriginal Organizations responded to the Statement of Apology. All of the National Aboriginal leaders met with the Prime Minister fifteen minutes prior to the Statement made in the House of Commons, was provided with a copy of the Statement to review and was advised at that time that we would be providing responses on the floor of the House of Commons.
As the National President of the Native Women's Association of Canada, I was given a responsibility that day to make a statement that the rest of the world would hear. I was honoured to represent Aboriginal women in Canada and speak from the heart regarding the impacts of the residential school system, specifically on Aboriginal women in Canada. It was one of the most powerful experiences that I have ever had not only personally but professionally as well. The following is the statement that I made in response to the Prime Minister's Statement of Apology. After I reviewed the written statement, the affect was not the same, so I have made a few minor additions to provide further context to my statement.
[I began an introduction of myself by speaking in my language.] What I said in my Mohawk language is, "Greetings of peace to you." My nation is Mohawk...