BC First Nations leaders criticize Trudeau for spending Truth and Reconciliation Day in Tofino

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British Columbia First Nations leaders criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for vacationing in Tofino on Canada’s first National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

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Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the British Columbia Indian Chiefs Union, said Trudeau’s decision to fly to Tofino and not attend any of the many ceremonies and events that took place across the country on Thursday to commemorate indigenous children who were separated from their families and forced to attend. residential schools was a “slap in the face” for the survivors.

“Given the fact that this is a nationally recognized holiday when it comes to truth and reconciliation, it would have been appropriate for the prime minister to fully recognize this day,” Phillip said. “Instead of doing that, he has chosen to turn his back on today’s historical significance and hide in Tofino.”

The Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc First Nation, which held a ceremony to commemorate the 215 unmarked children’s graves near the former Kamloops Indian residential school, noted on Twitter that it had sent two “heartfelt” invitations to Trudeau to join them.

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National Truth and Reconciliation Day is a legal holiday for federal workers and is intended to be a day of reflection on the history and legacy of residential schools.

Trudeau’s official schedule had originally placed him in Ottawa for “private meetings.” A spokesperson later confirmed that the prime minister flew to Tofino to meet his family for a few days, but denied that he was taking a vacation.

Spokesman Alex Wellstead said Trudeau spent “hours” on the phone Thursday talking to survivors from the schools “to hear their stories of trauma and healing, to hear their advice on the way forward.”

Trudeau attended the Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremony Wednesday night on Parliament Hill.

But that’s not good enough, Phillip said. “Reconciliation requires a very serious and sincere commitment from all Canadians. It is not a problem that occurs from a vehicle. “

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Terry Teegee, regional head of the Assembly of First Nations, said Trudeau could have shown respect and leadership by showing up in person on such an important day.

“I don’t get it,” Teegee said. “He is a political leader, a civil servant, and today would have been a good day to really show his commitment to indigenous peoples, to address many of today’s problems, including the long-term legacy of Indian residential schools.”

– With files from The Canadian Press

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