Rideau Hall, Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Allow me to begin by acknowledging that this ceremony is taking place on the traditional territory of the Algonquin Nation.

A moment like this arises very rarely in a country’s history.

This is a moment for national reflection and introspection.

This is a moment to reflect upon our history, our relationships and our responsibilities towards each other.

To think about the depth of our commitment to tolerance, respect and inclusiveness, and whether we can do better.

We can, and we must.

Generations of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people suffered as a result of residential schools, and for many that pain continues.

This is a moment to think about those people—those children, those mothers and fathers, those families and those elders, past and present.

And it’s also a moment to ask: where do we go from here?

The closing of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission offers an opportunity to each of us and to Canada. It’s an opportunity to look back, and to look forward together.

On the grounds outside, over 300 schoolchildren are gathered for a sacred commemorative ceremony called Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams.

And here inside, we are with Aboriginal elders who represent former students of the residential school system.

The elders are also known as Survivors, and it’s fitting that they’ve led us into this room today, because they’re the ones who have led us to this important moment in our history.

They’ve led us here through their resilience, their courage and their collective voice, and I thank them for that.

Later on, we’ll be led out of this room, not by Survivors, but rather children. And we’ll join the hundreds of children gathered outside.

This sequence of events reminds us that, while the Survivors of residential schools brought us to this point, it is their children—along with all children in this country—who will lead us into the future.

Into a new kind of Canada.

Almost six years ago, in this very room, many of you were here to help launch the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Its purpose has been to engage Canadians in a national conversation about this dark chapter in our history, and to imagine ways to heal and to build a better future for our children.

On that day, my predecessor, Michaëlle Jean, was inducted as the Commission’s very first honorary witness. Just as I was inducted as a witness last year at one of the Commission’s national events, held in Edmonton, and as was my wife, Sharon, two days ago.

Bearing witness is a solemn privilege and a great responsibility. And I believe each of us must bear witness to our past and present realities. We must own up to and apply what we’ve learned and work together for a better future for Aboriginal people and for the whole of this country.

This Commission has led us through a difficult and painful learning process that has helped us to understand the true scope and impact of residential schools.

This was necessary because far too many Canadians do not know about the more than 100 years of residential schooling endured by the Aboriginal people of Canada.

In fact, many of us do not know enough about Aboriginal people and cultures in general, and one of the important lessons of this process is that we must learn more about the first peoples of this land.

We must better understand each other and appreciate our differences, as well as all that we share in common.

With their compelling statements before the Commission, the former students of residential schools have, with courage, become our teachers. Let us listen carefully to what they have to tell us.

As a lifelong educator, I’m deeply disturbed by the residential school system’s betrayal of the most fundamental principles of learning. Education must never be about the narrow exclusion of cultures or worldviews. Rather, learning must be about growth and inclusiveness, discovery of the self, of others, and of the world around us. The approach must be one of diversity and respect.

Many times we’ve heard the Commissioners say it was education that broke the relationships between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples of Canada.

But they also say: education—learning—offers us the best chance of finding our way out of this situation.

Our hope lies in learning, and an unwavering commitment to tolerance, respect and inclusiveness in our relationships.

If we are to teach these values to our children, we ourselves must learn.  

This is the only way forward—the path by which we will create a country for all of our children and grandchildren to share. A country we can all be proud of.

As honorary witnesses, Sharon and I will be placing two photos in the Bentwood Box.

The first photo is of the gathering that took place here in 2009 to launch the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the second will capture today’s historic gathering which we are so honoured to host.

To stand and bear witness, I call upon Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Today, we mark the end of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s public work. But this is only the end of the beginning.

And today we begin a new chapter in the story of Canada and its diverse peoples. As we’ve heard this week, our actions must be consistent with our words. We must demonstrate our commitment to respect, tolerance and inclusiveness as a country. 

Let us always remember: we’re all in this together.

Let’s keep expanding the circle of awareness, understanding, responsibility and reconciliation.

Let’s honour our memories of the past and plant new dreams for the future.

And let’s work together to build a better country for every single person who calls this land home.

Thank you.