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Prime Minister Harper's Residential School Apology
  • This the official transcript of the apology made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on behalf of Canadians and the Government of Canada for Residential School.
  • An informal (written) apology was made in January 1998 by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Jane Stewart. 
  • This was met with outrage by Indigenous peoples across the country, but Phil Fontaine, the National Chief of the AFN at the time, filed a lawsuit on behalf of those affected by Residential Schools.
  • This resulted in the signing of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) with the federal government in 2006, and later the formal apology in 2008.
Citation

Canada. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Statement of apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools. [Ottawa, Ontario], 2008. https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100015644/1571589171655

Policy Type
Speech