By Steve Scherer

OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada on Thursday held its the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honor the lost children and survivors of indigenous schools, following the gruesome discovery of more than 1,000 unmarked graves https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/unmarked-graves-found-canadian-former-residential-school-sites-2021-07-06 at two former schools earlier this year.

The so-called residential school https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/no-chance-be-children-life-canadas-residential-schools-2021-06-10 system, which operated between 1831 and 1996, removed about 150,000 indigenous children from their families. Many were subjected to abuse, violence and malnutrition by schools as part of what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called “cultural genocide” in 2015.

These schools, which were run jointly by the Catholic Church and the government, had the stated goal of assimilation. The new federal holiday was created by Justin Trudeau, Liberal Prime Minister.

“The legacy of colonization has had devastating repercussions for indigenous peoples, including the loss of language, culture and heritage,” said Governor General Mary May Simon, the first https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-installs-first-indigenous-governor-general-highlights-reconciliation-2021-07-26 aboriginal person to serve as the representative in Canada of its head of state, Queen Elizabeth.

She said that the pain was felt by generations and continues to be felt today.

The queen sent a message, saying she joined with Canadians “to reflect on the painful history that Indigenous peoples endured in residential schools in Canada, and on the work that remains to heal and to continue to build an inclusive society.”

The discovery of the unmarked graves reopened the deep wounds https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mass-grave-reopens-wounds-among-indigenous-survivors-colonial-canadian-school-2021-06-02 left by Canada’s European colonization and the subsequent efforts to assimilate indigenous cultures. The life expectancy of indigenous peoples is shorter today, as they are more vulnerable to violence and poverty.

Trudeau stated on Thursday: “On the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation,” Trudeau, who spoke after the commemoration of the holiday on the lawn before parliament. “We remember the kids who didn’t make it home.”

The ceremony takes place in front of Parliament on Thursday. Other similar ceremonies are held throughout the country.

According to indigenous leaders, the day should be acknowledged by all provinces and not just federal employees. Ontario, which is home to the highest number of people, has yet not acknowledged the holiday. Schools, stock market, and businesses in Ontario are still open.

It is part the problem if the government doesn’t properly recognize the theft of thousands upon thousands of our children. Sol Mamakwa (New Democrat indigenous lawmaker) said that they are responsible for the problems in Ontario.

Multiple cities scrapped Canada Day https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadian-flags-to-remain-at-half-mast-residential-schools-1.6170504 celebrations on July 1 after the discovery of hundreds of children’s remains, and the government has ordered all federal buildings to fly the flag at half mast since May 30.