What they said at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Seventh National Event

Edmonton
March 27-30, 2014

“It starts with forgiveness within our own families. Forgiveness to not hold on to pain and suffering. But most importantly to not pass this on any longer. Forgiveness is not forgetting…. Rather it is something internal and it’s a sign of strength. It can free us and empower us to move forward.”
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo, during opening address
____________________________
“We regret that at times the Christian faith was used wrongly as an instrument of power not as an invitation to see how God was already at work before we came.”
Tim Dyck, Mennonite Churches of Canada, reading from statement presented during Expressions of Reconciliation
____________________________
“I just want to say I’m sorry for all the white people I called down throughout the years of my life, through hatred. I’m very sorry but I don’t know any one of you. But we can help each other to understand why we hate each other.”
Gordon Potts, during A Town Hall on Reconciliation
____________________________
“The darkside of my experience I will always keep that as a reminder that I need to do something today to try and make a difference in the future.”
Mikisew Cree Nation Chief Steve Courtoreille, guest during Honourary Witness Statement
____________________________
“Reconciliation means changing my attitude and my self-image but also non- Native people to change their attitude and their self-image.”
Dan Highway, Children of Survivors Digital Storytelling Project, during Expressions of Reconciliation
____________________________
“We need to create an understanding and from that understanding we create that ability to start to heal and grow.”
Yellow Quill First Nation Chief Larry Cachene, during Expressions of Reconciliation
____________________________
“That is what I will give testimony to.  That I have not died. That I am not a statistic.”
Lynda Minoose, during Commissioners Sharing Panel
____________________________
“We need to be practitioners of reconciliation. Right where we are. Right where we sit. From the places of healing which we find ourselves in.”
Hereditary Chief of the Kwagiulth Nation Robert Joseph, during the Honourary Witness Talking Circle
____________________________
“I have not come across one survivor … who wants pity, all we want is understanding and learning for the future generations and quit hiding this dark history that this era carries.”
Eugene Arcand, Survivor Committee statement
____________________________
“Whereas reconciliation… will not right the wrongs of the past, it will help us start a new journey together…”
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, reading from the City of Calgary Proclamation of a Year of Reconciliation