APPENDIX B Letters of Apology

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA / L’ÉGLISE ANGLICANE DU CANADA

80 Hayden Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4Y 3G2

November 20, 2006

Mr. Arthur Bear Chief

c/o Department of Justice, Canada

211 Bank of Montreal Building

10199-101 Street

Edmonton, AB T5J 3Y4

Dear Mr. Bear Chief,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Anglican Church of Canada to offer sincere apologies for the pain and suffering you experienced during your years at the Old Sun Indian Residential School.

The Anglican Church of Canada was involved in running a number of Indian Residential Schools, from their earliest beginnings up until 1969. Although there was never any intention to cause harm or suffering to the children who attended these schools, we do acknowledge that there were a few staff who took advantage of children by physically and sexually abusing them. Such behaviour was wrong and can never be excused. We do not now, and never did, condone this behaviour. The Anglican Church of Canada is deeply sorry that your school years, which should have been filled with fun and learning, were instead filled with fear and dread.

It is my hope that the hurt caused by your experiences at the Old Sun Residential School will eventually heal, and that you will find peace, fulfillment and enjoyment in your future.

Yours sincerely,

Archdeacon Michael Pollesel

General Secretary

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

“Statement of Reconciliation”

Jane Stewart,

Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

January 7, 1998

As Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians seek to move forward together in a process of renewal, it is essential that we deal with the legacies of the past affecting the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, including the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Our purpose is not to rewrite history but, rather, to learn from our past and to find ways to deal with the negative impacts that certain historical decisions continue to have in our society today.

The ancestors of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples lived on this continent long before explorers from other continents first came to North America. For thousands of years before this country was founded, they enjoyed their own forms of government. Diverse, vibrant Aboriginal nations had ways of life rooted in fundamental values concerning their relationships to the Creator, the environment, and each other, in the role of Elders as the living memory of their ancestors, and in their responsibilities as custodians of the lands, waters and resources of their homelands.

The assistance and spiritual values of the Aboriginal peoples who welcomed the newcomers to this continent too often have been forgotten. The contributions made by all Aboriginal peoples to Canada’s development, and the contributions that they continue to make to our society today, have not been properly acknowledged. The Government of Canada today, on behalf of all Canadians, acknowledges these contributions.

Sadly, our history with respect to the treatment of Aboriginal people is not something in which we can take pride. Attitudes of racial and cultural superiority led to a suppression of Aboriginal culture and values. As a country, we are burdened by past actions that resulted in weakening the identity of Aboriginal peoples, suppressing their languages and cultures, and outlawing spiritual practices. We must recognize the impact of these actions on the once self-sustaining nations that were disaggregated, disrupted, limited or even destroyed by the dispossession of traditional territory, by the relocation of Aboriginal people, and by some provisions of the Indian Act. We must acknowledge that the result of these actions was the erosion of the political, economic and social systems of Aboriginal people and nations.

Against the backdrop of these historical legacies, it is a remarkable tribute to the strength and endurance of Aboriginal people that they have maintained their historic diversity and identity. The Government of Canada today formally expresses to all Aboriginal people in Canada our profound regret for past actions of the federal government which have contributed to these difficult pages in the history of our relationship together.

One aspect of our relationship with Aboriginal people over this period that requires particular attention is the Residential School system. This system separated many children from their families and communities and prevented them from speaking their own languages and from learning about their heritage and cultures. In the worst cases, it left legacies of personal pain and distress that continue to reverberate in Aboriginal communities to this day. Tragically, some children were victims of physical and sexual abuse.

The Government of Canada acknowledges the role it played in the development and administration of these schools. Particularly to those individuals who experienced the tragedy of sexual and physical abuse at residential schools, and who have carried this burden believing that in some way they must be responsible, we wish to emphasize that what you experienced was not your fault and should never have happened. To those of you who suffered this tragedy at residential schools, we are deeply sorry.

In dealing with the legacies of the Residential School system, the Government of Canada proposes to work with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people, the Churches and other interested parties to resolve the longstanding issues that must be addressed. We need to work together on a healing strategy to assist individuals and communities in dealing with the consequences of this sad era of our history.

No attempt at reconciliation with Aboriginal people can be complete without reference to the sad events culminating in the death of Métis leader Louis Riel. These events cannot be undone; however, we can and will continue to look for ways of affirming the contributions of Métis people in Canada and of reflecting Louis Riel’s proper place in Canada’s history.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process. In renewing our partnership, we must ensure that the mistakes which marked our past relationship are not repeated. The Government of Canada recognizes that policies that sought to assimilate Aboriginal people, women and men, were not the way to build a strong country. We must instead continue to find ways in which Aboriginal people can participate fully in the economic, political, cultural and social life of Canada in a manner which preserves and enhances the collective identities of Aboriginal communities, and allows them to evolve and flourish in the future. Working together to achieve our shared goals will benefit all Canadians, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike.

INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS RESOLUTION CANADA

Deputy Minister

RÉSOLUTION DES QUESTIONS DES PENSIONNATS

INDIENS CANADA

Sous-ministre

March 26, 2007

PROTECTED A

Mr. Arthur Bear Chief

Dear Mr. Bear Chief:

I write today in light of the settlement you reached with the Government of Canada as a result of the abuse you suffered at the Old Sun Indian Residential School. The Government accepts its responsibility for what happened to you at the school.

On behalf of the Minister responsible for Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada, The Honourable Jim Prentice, and the Government of Canada, I wish to apologize to you and your family and to express the Government’s sincere and deep regret for all of the pain that you and your family have suffered as a result of your attendance at Old Sun. I recognize that you have carried this burden with you for many years. I wish to emphasize that what you experienced was not your fault and should never have happened.

You have shown considerable courage and dignity in coming forward to talk about extremely personal and painful experiences. I hope that by recounting these very painful experiences, you have a measure of comfort which will allow you and your family to move forward with your lives.

Sincerely,

Peter Harrison