Manitoba minister says residential schools meant to eliminate Indigenous people
A Manitoba cabinet minister who, three weeks ago, defended some of the intentions behind residential schools said Wednesday the schools were part of a genocide under a plan by former prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald.
"It wasn't just cultural genocide. They weren't just attempting to erase the culture," Alan Lagimodiere said.
"Sir John A. ... his plan was to eliminate Indigenous people from Canada, and that to me is genocide."
Lagimodiere was promoted to the Progressive Conservative government's cabinet last month and sworn in as minister of Indigenous reconciliation and northern relations. He replaced Eileen Clarke, who resigned after Premier Brian Pallister made controversial remarks about Canadian history that were denounced by Indigenous leaders.
Within an hour of being named to the cabinet post, while answering questions from reporters, Lagimodiere defended some of the intentions behind residential schools. He said people at the time thought they were doing the right thing and the schools were originally aimed at teaching skills to Indigenous children.
Lagimodiere, who is Metis, issued a full apology the next day and has been visiting First Nations communities recently on what he called a "listening and learning journey."
The head of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said he has not been reassured.
Grand Chief Arlen Dumas said it is hard to tell if Lagimodiere's reasons for using the word "genocide" are sincere or whether the minister is trying to get beyond the backlash his original comments caused.
"Fundamentally, these statements that he is making today are obviously a reaction and a realization of the ignorant and ill-informed comments that he made before," Dumas said.
"I am glad that he is getting a proper historical education."
But Dumas said it may not be enough for many Indigenous leaders who have refused to meet with the minister since his original remarks.
The distinction between cultural genocide and genocide has been brought back into focus this year.
While the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report said Canada engaged in cultural genocide against Indigenous people, the 2019 report from the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women used the term genocide.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in 2019 and again this year that he accepts that finding.
In June, New Democrat member of Parliament Leah Gazan, who represents Winnipeg Centre, failed to get unanimous approval for a motion for the House of Commons to recognize the residential schools policy as a genocide.
Lagimodiere's use of the word came as he announced the next step in plans for a new monument on the Manitoba legislature grounds to commemorate the signing of the first treaty in Western Canada, known as the Peguis-Selkirk Treaty.
A design competition is being opened up for the monument, which is to feature Chief Peguis and would be the first statue of a First Nations person on the grounds.
The provincial government is putting up $500,000 for the project, which is to be completed in the summer of 2024.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2021.
-- With files from Kelly Geraldine Malone
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Gaza's Rafah ahead of an expected assault
The Israeli army on Monday ordered tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza's southern city of Rafah to start evacuating from the area, signalling that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent.