Manitoba the first province to formally apologize to aboriginal adoptees on Thursday.
Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger has apologized to aboriginal children taken from their families decades ago.
Selinger made the long anticipated apology inside the legislative chamber.
The so called "Scoop" children of the 1960s, 70s and 80s were apprehended at their homes by child welfare officials and sent to live with non-indigenous families across Canada and the U.S.
Many survivors shared their stories during a ceremony at the legislature.
Several were split from their siblings at a very young age and raised in abusive homes.
One survivor says a year after she was taken to Pennsylvania authorities lied to her, telling her that her parents were dead.
For some adoptees, the apology comes too late.
Christine Merasty says an apology won't give her back time with her biological grandparents or do much to quell the anger at being taken away from her mother as a baby.
Survivors say a national campaign is needed in the U.S. to find other adoptees who have not found their way home. They also want counselling for PTSD and compensation so they can visit relatives.
- With files from The Canadian Press
