PatientC

What is needed is a commitment to never again allow such a travesty of justice and transgression against equality to occur. It begins with officially recognizing the rights and cultures of First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples by signing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. But reconciliation also means that, as a Parliament and as a country, we must take action to address the terrible inequality faced by First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities. We can start by restoring the nation-to-nation relationship between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Metis, and the Inuit. Even as we speak here today, thousands of Aboriginal children are without proper schools or clean water, adequate food, their own bed, good health care, safety, comfort, lands and rights. We can no longer throw up our hands and say, “There’s nothing we can do.” Taking reponsibility and working toward reconciliation means saying, “We must act together to solve this.” Let us reverse the horrific and shameful statistics afflicting Aboriginal populations now: the high rates of poverty, suicide, the poor or having no education, overcrowding, crumbling housing, and unsafe drinking water. Let us make sure that all survivors of the residential schools receive the recognition and compensation that is due to them. We must make a serious and collective commitment. All of us together - First Nations, Metis, and Inuit, Canadians who have been here for generations and new Canadians as well - must build a future based on fairness, equality, and respect. This must be our deep collective commitment. Let us all, First Nations, Metis, Inuit, Canadians who have been here for generations, and new Canadians, build a fair, equal, and respectful Canada for all. Meegwetch. Ekosi. Nakurmiik.