SEPTEMBER 30, 2021- With the new Canadian federal statutory holiday on September 30, the Canadian Jewish Community Forum (CJCF) would like to publicly acknowledge the tragedies that are finally coming to light and to voice in the strongest of terms our support for the First Nations communities in Canada and their call for truth and reconciliation. One statutory holiday does little to assuage the centuries of oppression and intergenerational trauma. However, it is our hope that as more people become aware of the tragedies inflicted on the First Nations people of Canada, real discussions can begin that move us towards action.
Since May, 2021, more than 1,800 graves have been found between six former Indian Residential Schools in Canada. For context, 139 Indian Residential Schools were run by Christian groups and funded by the government of Canada for the purpose of “aggressively assimilating” First Nations from 1879 until the last Residential School closing in 1996. These graves, filled with the bodies of First Nations children (aged 3 years to adulthood), are the tip of the iceberg for the horrors of the genocide experienced by First Nations people in Canada.
While the government of Canada agreed to the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2008, there are many key areas of growth for Canada and Canadians. For example, several public figures have used their platforms to defend “the good” of the Residential School System. These incidents show that people in public positions of power have not all been able to understand the importance of this issue, its historical implications, and its relevance today.
However, are we, the public, less to blame? In 2020, the In Plain Sight report found that 84% of First Nations in British Columbia have experienced racial discrimination in the healthcare system. In addition, 59% of First Nation respondents working in healthcare reported colleagues saying discriminatory or hurtful comments in front of them.
Outside of healthcare, Canadians’ attention span for this intergenerational trauma seems to be a short one. Google Trends, which monitors how often people search a topic (or a related topic), reveals almost no interest in “Residential Schools” in Canada before the end of May 2021 and almost no activity after the beginning of July. “Truth and Reconciliation”, however, has gone up exponentially, suggesting that people want to learn about indigenous issues that are discussed in the public sphere. It is more important than ever to encourage public discussion and awareness.
The facts above are a stark reminder of the cruelty of the past, and the CJCF wishes to express its solidarity with the many First Nation Peoples in Canada. Beyond performative gestures such as changing street names, the government must engage in real change at a foundational level. We understand that a People are not wholly defined by their loss - nor would many want to be- but can be self-defined and growth-oriented. Cultures survive generations because they are full, rich, and connected, and they deserve to continue to be passed on. Truth and Reconciliation are not the end, but are a requirement for a context in which flourishing can happen. The Canadian Jewish Community Forum offers itself as an ally with First Nations in the journey to reach reconciliation. We urge our fellow citizens and all levels of government to work together to move forward to address historical injustices and ongoing issues.
For further information contact Dr. Simon Elterman, Canadian
Jewish Community Forum
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