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Hi there, please make sure there is no plagiarism and it is 100% written in huma
Hi there, please make sure there is no plagiarism and it is 100% written in human form. All work must be original and unique. I will be submitting this through multiple AI plagiarism checkers so please be mindful of that. Thank you.
Here are excerpts from the text of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s statement of apology on Wednesday, as released by the Prime Minister’s Office. French sections, which repeat the English text, have been excluded:
Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to offer an apology to former students of Indian residential schools. The treatment of children in Indian residential schools is a sad chapter in our history.
In the 1870’s, the federal government, partly in order to meet its obligation to educate aboriginal children, began to play a role in the development and administration of these schools.
Two primary objectives of the residential schools system were to remove and isolate children from the influence of their homes, families, traditions and cultures, and to assimilate them into the dominant culture.
These objectives were based on the assumption aboriginal cultures and spiritual beliefs were inferior and unequal.
Indeed, some sought, as it was infamously said, “to kill the Indian in the child.”
Today, we recognize that this policy of assimilation was wrong, has caused great harm, and has no place in our country.
Most schools were operated as “joint ventures” with Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian or United churches.
The government of Canada built an educational system in which very young children were often forcibly removed from their homes, often taken far from their communities.
Many were inadequately fed, clothed and housed.
All were deprived of the care and nurturing of their parents, grandparents and communities.
First Nations, Inuit and Métis languages and cultural practices were prohibited in these schools.
Tragically, some of these children died while attending residential schools and others never returned home.
The government now recognizes that the consequences of the Indian residential schools policy were profoundly negative and that this policy has had a lasting and damaging impact on aboriginal culture, heritage and language.
While some former students have spoken positively about their experiences at residential schools, these stories are far overshadowed by tragic accounts of the emotional, physical and sexual abuse and neglect of helpless children, and their separation from powerless families and communities.
The legacy of Indian residential schools has contributed to social problems that continue to exist in many communities today. It has taken extraordinary courage for the thousands of survivors that have come forward to speak publicly about the abuse they suffered.
It is a testament to their resilience as individuals and to the strength of their cultures.
Regrettably, many former students are not with us today and died never having received a full apology from the government of Canada.
The government recognizes that the absence of an apology has been an impediment to healing and reconciliation.
Therefore, on behalf of the government of Canada and all Canadians, I stand before you, in this chamber so central to our life as a country, to apologize to aboriginal peoples for Canada’s role in the Indian residential schools system.
To the approximately 80,000 living former students, and all family members and communities, the government of Canada now recognizes that it was wrong to forcibly remove children from their homes and we apologize for having done this.
We now recognize that it was wrong to separate children from rich and vibrant cultures and traditions, that it created a void in many lives and communities, and we apologize for having done this.
We now recognize that, in separating children from their families, we undermined the ability of many to adequately parent their own children and sowed the seeds for generations to follow, and we apologize for having done this.
We now recognize that, far too often, these institutions gave rise to abuse or neglect and were inadequately controlled, and we apologize for failing to protect you.
Not only did you suffer these abuses as children, but as you became parents, you were powerless to protect your own children from suffering the same experience, and for this we are sorry.
The burden of this experience has been on your shoulders for far too long.
The burden is properly ours as a government, and as a country.
There is no place in Canada for the attitudes that inspired the Indian residential schools system to ever again prevail.
You have been working on recovering from this experience for a long time and in a very real sense, we are now joining you on this journey.
The government of Canada sincerely apologizes and asks the forgiveness of the aboriginal peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly.
We are sorry.
In moving towards healing, reconciliation and resolution of the sad legacy of Indian residential schools, implementation of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement agreement began on September 19, 2007.
Years of work by survivors, communities, and aboriginal organizations culminated in an agreement that gives us a new beginning and an opportunity to move forward together in partnership.
A cornerstone of the settlement agreement is the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
This commission presents a unique opportunity to educate all Canadians on the Indian residential schools system.
It will be a positive step in forging a new relationship between aboriginal peoples and other Canadians, a relationship based on the knowledge of our shared history, a respect for each other and a desire to move forward together with a renewed understanding that strong families, strong communities and vibrant cultures and traditions will contribute to a stronger Canada for all of us
The text below is the reply Harper received for his speech
Harpers Hallow Apology
On June 11, 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered the long overdue apology for the forced removal of the First Nations children from their families to attend residential school. Harper apologized on behalf of those who didn’t survive, and Jack Layton, leader of the NDP party addressed those who did not attend, those who committed suicide, and those who died from the effects of the residential schools. They also announced a two-billion-dollar fund in reparations. I imagine that they all thought this would want us to forgive the government, run from our reserves, blend in with the rest of Canada and ‘let the healing begin’ as one friend of mine put it.
This apology does not come after any kind of settlement or reconciliation between the First Nations who have a number of issues all waiting to be settled. Not the least of which is that Canada acquired half a continent that once belonged to us without our consent. What is clear after reading the Union of B. C. Indian Chiefs, Stolen Lands, Broken Promises, and Dr. Roland Chrisjohn’s, The Circle Game, is that the Residential school system was part and parcel of a colonial regime, bent on not just ‘killing the Indians,’ but also stealing the land.
Along with the removal of children came death by numerous epidemics, such as smallpox, to which the First Nations were often refused vaccination, sometimes at gunpoint. Another blow came in the form of the steady appropriation of land, prohibition from participating in the economic and commercial life of Canada. The destruction of the economic means of survival, which included hunting restrictions. Prohibition from voting, and from entering the work force, paved a way for the disenfranchisement of Indians. To put salt on the wound, they even prohibited singing and dancing, none of which fit into this apology. Reverend Kevin Annett refers to the history of residential schools as part of a genocide plan. Dr. Roland Chrisjohn alludes to residential school history as part of the colonization of the First Nation’s people. In that case, this apology rings hollow and false. Until colonialism ends and our access to the wealth of the country is restored on terms to which all First Nation’s people can agree, there is little to forgive.
Question: Is Maracle’s criticism of Harper’s apology justified? Why or why not?
Use specific details from Maracle’s post, “Harper’s Hollow Apology,” as well as “Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s statement of apology” to support your position. Use the quotation guide to help you properly integrate quotations.
Your answer should be written in paragraph form and be a minimum of eight (8) sentences. You may require more sentences to fully develop your response. Before you begin, review the organizer below. It will help you plan your paragraph.
Topic sentence – Opening
A topic sentence clearly stating your opinion
Sentence 2 – Reason
First reason supporting your opinion
Sentence 3 – Explanation
Explanation of first reason (supporting details)
Sentence 4 – Reason
Second reason supporting your opinion
Sentence 5 – Explanation
Explanation of second reason (supporting details)
Sentence 6 – Reason
Third reason supporting your opinion
Sentence 7 – Explanation
Explanation of third reason (supporting details)
Sentence 8 – Conclusion
Restate your opinion. Do not add any new info in your closing sentence
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