Chiefs Wary Of National Forgiven Summit

Chiefs Wary Of National Forgiven Summit

Friday, June 11, 2010 at 13:47

 

 

Two First Nations leaders are raising concerns around the premise of this weekend’s National Forgiven Summit in Ottawa, which begins today.

 

The event, which is being organized by a number of Aboriginal Christians, is being billed as the first coordinated response from Aboriginal Canadians to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s request for forgiveness in his 2008 apology to residential school survivors.

 

It is expected to draw an estimated 3,500 to 5,000 participants.

 

Little Black Bear Chief Perry Bellegarde says he understands forgiveness comes from within — but questions whether or not the Harper government has followed its apology with concrete actions to show it is indeed sorry.

 

He says the demise of the National Aboriginal Healing Foundation comes to mind, as does the government’s handling of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

 

Bellegarde says it is a personal choice if people want to participate in the summit.

 

However, he says people should consider who is endorsing it and what their motives might be — and whether the government has lived up to its apology of 2008.

 

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is also urging First Nations people to exercise caution regarding the National Forgiven Summit.

 

Shawn Atleo says survivors need to “be careful about the politicization” of this evening

 

He also says some people aren’t ready to forgive, and it’s a personal choice.

 

Atleo adds the federal government still has a lot of work to do in the area of education in order to live up to the intent and spirit of its apology two years ago.

 

Earlier this week, the AFN issued a call to action to the government regarding First Nations education — asking for collaborative work on ensuring First Nations have fair and improved access to quality education.