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	June 11 Apology Must Be a Defining Moment in Canadian History CNW June 2, 2008 http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/June2008/02/c6969.html In a letter sent to Stephen Harper, The United Church of Canada has urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the June 11 apology to residential school survivors and their families is an occasion that will be experienced as a defining moment in the healing of our nation. The church's letter also echoes the concerns raised by the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine, in an open letter on April 22. In that letter Chief Fontaine lamented the absence of direct consultation with Aboriginal leaders and survivors about the content of the national apology. The United Church says it agrees that consultation with those who have been directly affected by the legacy of residential schools is essential. "Such consultation is critical in order that survivors experience the apology as full, genuine, and substantial," writes the Moderator, the Right Rev. David Giuliano. The church's letter urges the Prime Minister "to meet with Aboriginal leaders and survivor representatives as soon as possible so that the apology might achieve the hopes that so many of us have for it." The Rev. James Scott is the United Church's General Council Officer for Residential Schools. He says the church sees the apology as having immense importance in the national healing process and in fulfilling the hopes and intentions of the overall Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. "In offering our own apologies, the United Church has come to understand both the real and symbolic importance of apology in the healing journey of those who were harmed by the schools," explains Scott. "And apologizing has also been the first step in our church's own journey of recovery and healing from the attitudes that led to the schools in the first place." Scott adds that the apology is also a vital element in meeting the objectives of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for broad public awareness and ownership of the residential school legacy. "The offering of this apology should be an event of singular significance in the unfolding of our national story," says Scott. "It is therefore absolutely critical that the presentation of the apology be consistent with the import of its message and the need to generate an extraordinary level of public attention." The Moderator concludes his letter to the Prime Minister with the following words of encouragement and support: "We believe in the power of reconciliation. We believe in the possibility of healing, of new beginnings, even out of the devastation of such a tragic policy as the Indian residential school system. The national apology offers the opportunity to begin the process of healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The legacy of a national apology to survivors and their families can be the foundation on which our nation builds a new and hopeful future. "We look to your leadership in offering a full, honest, and sincere national apology. Such an apology would be a profoundly important platform on which to renew a relationship of respect, equality, and justice between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples across this great land. We offer you our prayerful support in this task." For further information: Mary-Frances Denis, Communications Officer, The United Church of Canada, (416) 231-7680 ext. 2016 (office), 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2016 (toll-free), (416) 885-7478 (cell), (416) 766-0057 (home), mdenis@united-church.ca
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