For Immediate Release
Statement from the Office of Yvonne Jones on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 2021
This message touches on topics that may negatively impact the reader due to its subject matter. A national Residential School Crisis Line is available for Indigenous peoples experiencing pain or distress at 1-866-925-4419.
To my constituents across Labrador – my heart is with you as we take today to honour and remember innocent children and others that did not return home from residential school, and as we continue to uncover the unmarked graves that are found in the area of former residential schools. These children will never be forgotten, and I stand with all Survivors, their family members and the communities that have been shaken by the horrific legacy they encountered.
The trauma, intergenerational harm, and lived experience of Survivors of residential schools has been re-surfaced, and the difficult memories of their past triggering theirs, their family and their community’s mental health. I recognize and hear the calls for actions and answers that those across the country, and in my riding of Labrador, want for this chapter in our history.
As your Member of Parliament, I will continue to support our communities in uncovering and locating burial sites, and to listen to knowledge holders and experts in areas such as archaeology, forensics, pathology, and mental health to commemorate and memorialize the children.
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that the residential schools’ tragic history and ongoing legacy are never forgotten. Our government has recently announced funds that will support initiatives that commemorate the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, including events and activities marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Our government has made a three-year investment through the recent Budget 2021 to renew essential mental health, culture and emotional supports for residential school Survivors, their families and those impacted by Federal Day Schools.
On this day, I encourage all my constituents across my riding to support our Indigenous governments, to reflect and to recognize that while to many the tragedies of residential schools may be a new revelation – these are truths for Indigenous communities in our region and they have lived with the heartbreaking reality for many generations. Addressing the legacy of residential schools will take time, and Canada will undertake this work in partnership with Indigenous peoples and communities.
Yvonne Jones
Member of Parliament for Labrador
