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This recognition is an important step to a renewed relationship with Indigenous Peoples, based on a recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership.
September 30, 2021 Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia Parks Canada Agency
The Residential School System was part of a shameful colonial policy that removed Indigenous children from their families and communities, not only denying them their traditions, language and culture, but also exposing children to grievous harm and even death. Indigenous people and communities have suffered impacts from residential schools, which endure across multiple generations. On the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, all Canadians pause to reflect on this tragic history, acknowledge the past, honour those children who were lost, and recognize the extraordinary strength and resilience of the Survivors and of all Indigenous People. The Government of Canada is committed to raising the voices of Indigenous People to ensure this history is never forgotten.
Today, Senator Dan Christmas and Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants, Kody Blois, on behalf of the Government of Canada, along with the Mi'kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Tripartite Forum and Shubenacadie Indian Residential School Survivors, commemorated the national historic significance of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School with a special ceremony to unveil a plaque in Shubenacadie.
The former Shubenacadie Indian Residential School was nominated for designation under the National Program of Historical Commemoration by the co-chair of the Tripartite Culture and Heritage Working Committee of the Mi'kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Tripartite Forum on behalf of Survivors of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School and their descendants. Parks Canada and the nominator collaborated to identify the historic value of the former Shubenacadie Indian Residential School.
Although the school building is no longer standing, the site of the former school is a place of remembrance and healing for some Survivors and their descendants, who wish to preserve the Indian Residential School history in the Maritimes.
The experiences of former students and Survivors of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School and other residential schools across Canada continue to affect generations of First Nations, Inuit and Métis families and communities. These designations under the National Program of Historical Commemoration are an important part of the Government of Canada's response to Call to Action 79 of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
