Latest news with #TruthandReconciliationCommissionofCanada
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- General
- Cision Canada
History, artistry, and greenery on display at Rideau Hall this summer
OTTAWA, ON, June 6, 2025 /CNW/ - This summer, members of the public are invited to explore Rideau Hall, a national historic site set in an idyllic urban oasis located only a few minutes from downtown Ottawa and Gatineau. Visitors can immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the gardens and groves, gain a sense of local and national history through guided tours of the residence, and experience stunning Canadian art works both indoors and out. All special events and activities are free of charge and provide educational fun for all ages. Ongoing programming Free guided tours of Rideau Hall Daily Visitors are guided through the public areas of this historic residence. Highlights include Canadian art and the impressive State rooms, where Canadians are honoured and dignitaries are welcomed. Guided tours are free of charge and are offered daily; visitors are asked to check the schedule to see if reservations are required. Tour the grounds and the Visitor Centre The grounds of Rideau Hall are open from 8 a.m. until one hour before sunset, year-round. The Visitor Centre is open from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., from now until September 1. Members of the public can stroll through the grounds of Rideau Hall at their leisure and explore the paths through the groves and gardens of this urban oasis. Visitors can begin their exploration at the Visitor Centre to learn more about the role and responsibilities of the governor general, and the history of Rideau Hall. The Visitor Centre also features picnic tables, a play structure and public washrooms. Heart Garden at Rideau Hall Daily as of June 21, on the Rideau Hall grounds The heart garden at Rideau Hall remembers the First Nations, Inuit and Métis children who died in the Canadian residential school system, and those who survived. The plants featured in the garden were carefully chosen for their deep connection to the land and Indigenous peoples. An interactive art activity, in which visitors can make their own paper heart to add to the garden as a sign of commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action, is available from National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30). Permanent sculptural elements of the Heart Garden will be installed this fall. Special Events Doors Open at Rideau Hall June 7–8, in partnership with Doors Open Ottawa Select weekends during the summer: June 28 and 29, August 2 to 4, and August 30 to September 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On select long weekends, visitors can explore the State rooms of Rideau Hall at their own pace and visit both greenhouses and private gardens, which are not open to the public during regular tours. Guides will be on hand to answer any questions about the history of the residence and the role of Canada's governor general. Annual Inspection of the Ceremonial Guard June 27 at 10 a.m., on the Rideau Hall forecourt (weather dependent) This annual tradition highlights polish, precision and pageantry as the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief conducts the annual Inspection of the Ceremonial Guard. The event will include a military parade, an inspection of the guard and the band, and a Viceregal Salute to Her Excellency. Storytime at Rideau Hall June 27, 10:30 a.m. June 28 and August 2, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Guest readers, including local authors, Rideau Hall guides, and United for Literacy volunteers, will bring favourite Canadian stories to life! Visitors are welcome to join us in the Reading Tent to read books and participate in fun hands-on activities. This outdoor family activity is hosted in collaboration with United for Literacy, Canada's oldest not for profit literacy organization. A special reading event with the Governor General will be held on June 27, at 10:30 a.m., on the grounds of Rideau Hall. Ottawa Chamberfest at Rideau Hall July 26 and 27 Once again, Ottawa Chamberfest returns to Rideau Hall for some relaxing afternoon performances, held in the shade of the trees of the Royal Grove. Bring your own blanket or chairs and enjoy an interlude of live music. Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces: July 26, 2:00 and 3:30 p.m. Ensembles from the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces will play classical favourites with a focus on brass and woodwinds. Despax Duo: July 27, 2:00 and 3:30 p.m. Violinist Cendrine Despax and cellist Valérie Despax come together for two performances of eclectic repertoire for violin and cello, ranging from Taylor Swift to Mozart. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation September 28 and September 30 In the lead-up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Rideau Hall will hold a special Doors Open event on September 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Programming will encourage the public to reflect upon the 10 years that have passed since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final report and will include interactive art activities. On September 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Rideau Hall will host a Sacred Fire for the community, led by a local fire keeper. Guided tours on that day will be specifically focused on reconciliation. Plan your visit Members of the public wanting more information about Rideau Hall's activities and guided tours can call 613-991-4422 or 1-866-842-4422 (toll-free), write to [email protected], or visit the website at It is recommended that members of the public with mobility restrictions contact the reservation office in advance to determine the best way to access the grounds and the residence. Rideau Hall being a working residence, scheduling for all activities is subject to change without notice due to official events.
Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Marie Wilson in Sydney to speak about new book
Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Marie Wilson will be in Sydney on Tuesday as part of her Maritime book launch tour. She will speak publicly both in Membertou during the afternoon and at the Eltuek Arts Centre in the evening. Wilson is a Canadian journalist and public administrator who served as one of three commissioners of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. In 2009, she became the lone non-Indigenous commissioner on the commission. She has just released a book based on her experience serving as a Commissioner called 'North of Nowhere: Song of a Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner' (Strong Nations Publishing, Nanaimo, BC 2024). Impressive credentials She came to the position with impressive credentials. In 1982, Wilson was the first host of Focus North, a CBC news program. She researched, reported, wrote and hosted the broadcasts. Her stories educated the public on Canadian cultural and political issues from a northern point of view and both celebrated and supported diverse northern cultures and their struggle for Indigenous rights across the country. In 1995, Wilson created the North's first daily television news service that was reported in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. She continued to hire, train and support Indigenous staff and on-air personalities. In 2009, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's mandate was to allow residential school survivors and their families tell their stories to help themselves and their communities heal. It also sought to create a historical record of the abuses of the residential school system and to recommend ways for survivors and all Canadians to move forward. Wilson, along with Wilton Littlechild and Murray Sinclair travelled the country hearing from some 6,750 people. A report was released in 2015, which drew from five million documents and included 94 Calls to Action. As Wilson describes in her book, she then worked to urge the reading and discussion of the calls to action, to encourage their implementation. A release from her publishers describes: 'With the skills of a journalist, the heart of a mother and grandmother, and the insights of a life as a spouse of a residential school survivor, Commissioner Wilson guides readers through her years witnessing survivor testimony across the country, providing her unique perspective on the personal toll and enduring public value of the commission. 'In this unparalleled account, she honours the voices of survivors who have called Canada to attention, determined to heal, reclaim, and thrive.' Book tour The book tour in the Maritimes is sponsored by the Maritime Regions Justice, Mission and Outreach Committee of the United Church of Canada and Women of First Light – an eastern hub of a non-profit group led by Indigenous women from Wabanaki Territory. Wabanaki includes parts of Quebec, all three Maritime provinces and northeastern United States, and includes five nations with their own languages. The purpose of Women of First Light is to heal its communities and families by remembering and returning to the traditional ways of their ancestors. Wilson speaks Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, and at 7:30 p.m. at the Eltuek Arts Centre. Both events are open to the public and all are welcome.
Hamilton Spectator
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Indigenous groups keen to see Pope Leo continue reconciliation work
OTTAWA - Indigenous groups in Canada say they want to see Pope Leo XIV continue the reconciliation work started by his predecessor, the late Pope Francis. Francis was recognized as an ally of Canada's Indigenous Peoples and was known for advancing reconciliation efforts and apologizing — both in the Vatican and in Canada — for the Catholic Church's role in widespread abuses at residential schools. His visit to Canada in 2022 was described as a 'penitential pilgrimage' as Francis insisted on meeting with Indigenous survivors of residential schools and hearing their stories. Pope Francis also expressed a willingness to return colonial-era artifacts in the Vatican Museum that were acquired from Indigenous people in Canada. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, who was in Rome for Francis's funeral, said the late pontiff did 'a lot of good things.' Chicago-born Robert Prevost, who has chosen the name Leo XIV, is the first pontiff from the United States, though he worked for many years in Peru. Woodhouse Nepinak said she welcomes Pope Leo and hopes he will be 'open and receptive' to working together. 'I know that we have a lot of work to do but I think we can get there together,' she said. 'I think the former pope had left lots of work undone and I think that we want to get back to that.' Work on repatriating artifacts is 'ongoing and we hope to have those discussions with the new Pope' and the Vatican, she said. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, a national organization that represents over 65,000 Inuit in Canada, said on social media that it welcomes Leo's selection. 'We look forward to continuing the productive work we have undertaken with the church on advancing reconciliation with Inuit,' the post says. 'And we hope that under his leadership, the Catholic Church will uphold and strengthen efforts to repatriate cultural heritage and support the priorities of Indigenous communities.' The final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, released in 2015, included a call to action urging the pontiff to travel to Canada to apologize. Other calls to action included developing education strategies to ensure church congregations learn about their role in colonization, teaching the need to respect Indigenous spirituality and providing permanent funding for culture and language revitalization projects. Woodhouse Nepinak said there must be an examination of Canada's progress with the church on the calls to action, given that almost a decade has passed. 'We're not doing as much as we should have and I think that we have to start measuring that,' she said. Woodhouse Nepinak also said she hopes Pope Leo will come to Canada and meet with residential school survivors. She added she is optimistic about his willingness to engage with Indigenous peoples, given his time in South America. 'Working in Peru, he would have been exposed to Indigenous culture, Indigenous ceremony, Indigenous ways of life,' she said. 'I'm hoping that he would be open to seeing that here with First Nations in this country and meeting our residential school survivors to fully understand what they went through.' About 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools in Canada. More than 60 per cent of the schools were run by the Catholic Church. Neil MacCarthy, a spokesman for the Catholic archdiocese of Toronto, said he is 'hopeful' that reconciliation work will continue, citing 'huge strides' under Pope Francis. 'I think we have to acknowledge a lot was done,' said MacCarthy, who was involved with the Indigenous delegation to Rome in 2022 and the papal visit to Canada. 'It was, I think, a whole new chapter, most would agree, in the relationship with the Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples.' MacCarthy suggested that moving these issues along will take time. 'Part of that is working with the bishops in Canada and others who've been part of this journey and will continue to be moving forward,' MacCarthy said. 'I think we all recognize that it's a journey that needs to continue.' — With files from Kelly Geraldine Malone, Brittany Hobson, Nicole Thompson, Cassandra Szklarski, Fakiha Baig, Nicole Winfield and The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 10, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Indigenous groups keen to see Pope Leo continue reconciliation work
OTTAWA – Indigenous groups in Canada say they want to see Pope Leo XIV continue the reconciliation work started by his predecessor, the late Pope Francis. Francis was recognized as an ally of Canada's Indigenous Peoples and was known for advancing reconciliation efforts and apologizing — both in the Vatican and in Canada — for the Catholic Church's role in widespread abuses at residential schools. His visit to Canada in 2022 was described as a 'penitential pilgrimage' as Francis insisted on meeting with Indigenous survivors of residential schools and hearing their stories. Pope Francis also expressed a willingness to return colonial-era artifacts in the Vatican Museum that were acquired from Indigenous people in Canada. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, who was in Rome for Francis's funeral, said the late pontiff did 'a lot of good things.' Chicago-born Robert Prevost, who has chosen the name Leo XIV, is the first pontiff from the United States, though he worked for many years in Peru. Woodhouse Nepinak said she welcomes Pope Leo and hopes he will be 'open and receptive' to working together. 'I know that we have a lot of work to do but I think we can get there together,' she said. 'I think the former pope had left lots of work undone and I think that we want to get back to that.' Work on repatriating artifacts is 'ongoing and we hope to have those discussions with the new Pope' and the Vatican, she said. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, a national organization that represents over 65,000 Inuit in Canada, said on social media that it welcomes Leo's selection. 'We look forward to continuing the productive work we have undertaken with the church on advancing reconciliation with Inuit,' the post says. 'And we hope that under his leadership, the Catholic Church will uphold and strengthen efforts to repatriate cultural heritage and support the priorities of Indigenous communities.' The final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, released in 2015, included a call to action urging the pontiff to travel to Canada to apologize. Other calls to action included developing education strategies to ensure church congregations learn about their role in colonization, teaching the need to respect Indigenous spirituality and providing permanent funding for culture and language revitalization projects. Woodhouse Nepinak said there must be an examination of Canada's progress with the church on the calls to action, given that almost a decade has passed. 'We're not doing as much as we should have and I think that we have to start measuring that,' she said. Woodhouse Nepinak also said she hopes Pope Leo will come to Canada and meet with residential school survivors. She added she is optimistic about his willingness to engage with Indigenous peoples, given his time in South America. 'Working in Peru, he would have been exposed to Indigenous culture, Indigenous ceremony, Indigenous ways of life,' she said. 'I'm hoping that he would be open to seeing that here with First Nations in this country and meeting our residential school survivors to fully understand what they went through.' About 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools in Canada. More than 60 per cent of the schools were run by the Catholic Church. Neil MacCarthy, a spokesman for the Catholic archdiocese of Toronto, said he is 'hopeful' that reconciliation work will continue, citing 'huge strides' under Pope Francis. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'I think we have to acknowledge a lot was done,' said MacCarthy, who was involved with the Indigenous delegation to Rome in 2022 and the papal visit to Canada. 'It was, I think, a whole new chapter, most would agree, in the relationship with the Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples.' MacCarthy suggested that moving these issues along will take time. 'Part of that is working with the bishops in Canada and others who've been part of this journey and will continue to be moving forward,' MacCarthy said. 'I think we all recognize that it's a journey that needs to continue.' — With files from Kelly Geraldine Malone, Brittany Hobson, Nicole Thompson, Cassandra Szklarski, Fakiha Baig, Nicole Winfield and The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 10, 2025.
Epoch Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Study Reviews Underlying Reasons for Rise in Church Arsons in Canada
The increase in arson attacks against religious institutions in 2021 was likely due to announcements around potential unmarked burials at former residential school sites, according to The report, released April 24, represents the first empirical investigation of the spike in arson attacks on religious institutions in Canada since 2021. Author economist Edgardo Sepulveda said statistical analysis of the incidents found the increase in arson attacks was 'not religiously motivated.' The report noted less than 4 percent of the arson incidents over the 2021-23 period have resulted in charges, despite the severity of the crime. It suggested the failure of law enforcement to 'effectively investigate and prosecute arsonists' as well as a lack of government response, poses a 'significant threat to Indigenous reconciliation efforts in Canada.' 'Arson directed against religious institutions and the lack of a fulsome policy response could undermine support for reconciliation, especially if there is a perception that these crimes are not being addressed with the seriousness they deserve because of their association with the harms of residential schools,' says the report. Additionally, the report says that any further announcements relating to unverified human remains at these sites are likely to result in more arson incidents at religious institutions. In 2021, the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation of Kamloops first announced it had located the remains of 215 'missing children' on the site of a former residential school using ground-penetrating radar. The number of unmarked graves found at Kamloops was later revised to 200. The federal government provided $7.9 million grant for field work. The site has not been excavated and no remains have been found. Related Stories 12/6/2024 5/12/2024 Following the initial discovery, there were 16 additional announcements of potential unmarked burials at former residential schools. This was followed by a series of arsons and desecrations at churches. According to an Inquiry of Ministry tabled in the House of Commons in September 2024, there were 90 Residential schools in Canada were run with the participation of Christian churches. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada said in that an estimated 3,201 children died at these schools, with over 1,000 of those deaths occurring due to tuberculosis, influenza and pneumonia, and 1,040 deaths having unknown causes. The TRC report also noted that it was the practice of most of the schools to bury the bodies of students in school or school-related cemeteries, and not to send the bodies home. Many of these cemeteries have since been abandoned or become vulnerable to accidental disturbance, meaning some could become unmarked burial sites. Ottawa Must Respond to Arsons, Report Argues The MLI report says that after analyzing arson trends in other countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, it came to the conclusion that the church arsons in Canada were 'not part of any broader international pattern' related to events like COVID-19 and associated health measures. The report said that since the Catholic church featured prominently in debates over residential schools, with 15 of the 17 announcements of potential unmarked burials being at former Catholic-affiliated schools, this could have been another 'broad motivating factor' to explain the increase in church arsons in 2021. Sepulveda said in the report he had 'medium-confidence' that a slight increase in arsons between 2018 and 2020 was due to growing awareness of residential schools due to the 2015 TRC report. Sepulveda said more announcements of potential human remains are likely to occur in the future, given there has been additional government funding for searches. 'If our conceptual framework has any predictive power, it is that such exhumations will result in increased arson at religious institutions,' he said. In order to prevent future church arsons, the report said the federal government should examine the response the U.S. government took in the 1990s in response to church fires at black-majority congregations in the American South. U.S. President Bill Clinton established the National Church Arson Task Force to oversee the investigation and prosecution of arsons at churches, and signed the Church Arson Prevention Act that made it a federal criminal code violation to damage or deface religious property. The report said that since arson is already federally criminalized, but fire services are managed by the provinces and municipalities, a coordinated approach across provinces is necessary. It calls for a Canadian task force to work with municipal police, fire services, and indigenous forces, and that the RCMP could help investigate and prosecute arsons involving religious institutions. The report recommends the establishment of a national database that tracks fire statistics, calling the National Fire Information Database maintained by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs 'partial, inconsistent, and not up to date.' It also calls for Statistics Canada to release data around arson at religious institutions on a routine basis, instead of annually.
