Like many truth commissions, Canada’s Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission has experienced a turbulent start, including internal conflicts among the commissioners. But, things seem to finally be moving forward.
On Tuesday, the commision’s chair, Justice Murray Sinclair, visited Algoma University, which is situated on the former Shingwauk Indian Residential School. Beyond meeting with relatives of the residential school’s former students, he was also on site to examine the school’s extensive archives, which should provide a great deal of historical material to inform the commission’s efforts.
The commission has five years and a $60 million budget to complete its work, but also like many truth commissions, its mandate is extensive. As Carol Martin explains, the commission has been tasked with creating a historical record of both government policies and actions as well as the experiences of the First Nations people sent to these schools. In addition, it must develop recommendations for the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and establish a national research center devoted to the residential school experience.
Michael Purvis of the Sault Star emphasized the commission’s hope to tell the full story of what happened in the residential schools. While that must include some terrible tales of personal trauma, Sinclair explained that “those who have a positive experience as well have an opportunity to express that, and also those who can talk about their involvement in projects relating to the schools, those who played on sports teams for example, those who want to ensure that their personal history is documented with all of its facets” will have a chance to address the commission.
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