Ontario Native Women's Association News Release
ONWA Pushes for Implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Recommendations
As the voice for Aboriginal women and their families in Ontario, the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is urging Canada to implement the recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
On June 2, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) confirmed what Aboriginal people, organizations and communities already knew - that the legacy of residential schools continues to negatively impact the lives and well-being of survivors, their families and communities. Since Indigenous women continue to experience the impacts of the residential school experience at such high rates, ONWA is pleased that a number of recommendations stemming from the TRC report directly address priority areas that significantly impact their lives.
The TRC report clearly references the need for action on investigating linkages between the residential schools and the cycle of violence that Indigenous women continue to be victimized as the result of. The report also reiterates the call for a National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women, establishing a link between the residential school experience and missing and murdered Indigenous women.
“I’m pleased that the TRC recognized that many of the Indigenous women who have been victimized as the result of abuse, or have since been identified as missing or murdered, are victims of trauma that has cycled down through generations from the residential school experience,” says Dr. Dawn Harvard, ONWA President. “The Inquiry, if called, would serve to initiate the process of reconciliation—similar to the purpose served by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”
Kelly Anderson, Treasurer of ONWA’s board, attended the TRC’s Closing Ceremony in Ottawa, along with 7 other residential school survivors from Northwestern Ontario.
“The trip we took gave me the opportunity to learn from my elders about their experiences and I saw firsthand how residential school has affected their lives on a daily basis, and consequently how my upbringing was affected by the residential school system,” explains Anderson. “Little children were torn away from their families, abused and punished for practising elements of their culture. Listening to their stories had a profound effect on me as I was a witness to their pain, their memories, and this historic event in Ottawa.”
Anderson strongly believes that reconciliation needs to happen for Canada to move forward as a nation.
“Many Canadians still do not know of our nation's dark history and the impacting effects it has had on Canada and our Indigenous people as a whole. The residential schools affected generations over the century and will continue to affect Canadians for generations to come. Our people are living traumatized lifestyles every day and our communities need to address those impacts. We cannot wait for our Federal government to begin making changes. It starts with our communities. Everyone can make a contribution or difference. Even the smallest gesture can make a positive impact on our survivors and intergenerational survivors.”
ONWA believes it is vital that Canadians realize that the loss and victimization of Indigenous children was at the core of the residential school system. The current problematic situation of Canada’s Indigenous population took generations to create, and will subsequently take generations to correct. All of Canada needs to participate in the healing process if reconciliation is to happen.
“The release of the TRC Report represents a good first step in addressing the trauma of the residential school system, but the adoption and implementation of the 94 recommendations are crucial in order to continue this ongoing effort towards reconciliation,” says Dr. Dawn Harvard, ONWA President.
“ONWA is particularly invested in ensuring that the recommendations related to addressing the disproportionate victimization of Aboriginal women and girls, the call for an investigation into missing and murdered Aborignial women, and the onus to provide adequate resources to enable Aboriginal communities and child-welfare organizations to keep Aboriginal families together, are implemented immediately.”
