Archived - Indian Residential Schools Statement of Apology - Patrick Brazeau, National Chief, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
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Chief Patrick Brazeau (National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples): Members of the House, it is indeed an honour and a pleasure to be here witnessing this historic day.
Not only is it a historic day, but it is a positive step forward in the history of this great country of ours.
I would like to thank the Prime Minister for his leadership, and for something that none of his predecessors has done, and that is to do the humane, moral and right thing.
Thank you.
More importantly, this day is about the survivors and those of you in the gallery. I am proud to be here on this floor and representing some of you.
I want you to know that even though you have attended residential schools, in my heart and in my soul you are true role models. Because of your resiliency, your courage and your strength, you have made me the strong aboriginal Algonquin Canadian that I am today, as you have others across this great land of ours.
Surely in a country that the entire world knows because of its great opportunities and hope, surely that belongs to those from whom it was taken so long ago. Today for me personally, not only is it a great day to be an aboriginal person or an Algonquin, but I am proud to be an aboriginal Canadian.
Meegwetch.