Inuk teen says more work is needed to advance reconciliation
One Inuk teen says youth play an important role in advancing reconciliation in Canada, but notes it will still be a lengthy process to achieve it.
Michael Sammurtok, 14, was in Iqaluit this summer to witness Pope Francis’ apology to residential school survivors.
“It felt like I had a weight lifted off my chest,” he said. “It felt like I let go of something that happened to my family.”
He added, “Knowing that someone from such a high power saying sorry is going to be really relieving for a lot of people.”
Sammurtok, who was raised in Rankin Inlet but now lives in Ottawa, says his grandparents were residential school survivors, but he only learned about it after his grandfather passed away.
"It makes me sad because I didn’t think to ask if he was okay,” he said.
Sammurtok said his generation has not been able to escape the trauma.
“Residential schools impacted us because we lost our language, losing family members with a lot of stress and not being able to let go of this,” he said.
Sammurtok said there is a long way to go in reconciliation, but says youth just like him can play an important role.
He wants to advocate for better health-care access, better housing and clean drinking water for his community, and wants to teach Inuit culture and language.
“I want to allow people to have the mindset that they can let go,” he said. “Maybe raising money to get it taught in schools, to talk about it, to have shows about it and stuff.”
“I think it is good to move on from something, but it will always be a part of us.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.