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	Reactions to Harper's Apology on Residential Schools By Dalton McGuinty National Post June 11, 2008 http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=580542 Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered a long-awaited apology on native residential schools. The following are apologies from notable native figures, victims and other politicians: "Today is a long time coming for reconciliation to what has happened to over 80,000 still alive. It is a very important - new beginning for a lot of people who need to hear an apology. It has to be sincere of course, coming from the heart, that is what I am seeking." -Residential school survivor Chief Ron Nyce, Nisga'a Nation, B.C. "It is a symbolic act and it is really in the end no more than that. It is not going to change the history that we have had to live with and that many people will have to deal with. It is not going to change the damage that was done to native families, to reserves, to tribes across Canada. Today is just one day. What I am looking forward to is what tomorrow brings." - Tom King, Canadian author, twice nominated for a Governor General's Award, and NDP candidate. He spent two years in a Catholic U.S. residential school. "I really feel emotional here. What took them so long to apologize?" -Mi'kmaq Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy, 67, from Nova Scotia who attended Shubenacadie residential school. "It is an important day one that I have been waiting for, for many years to acknowledge the pain and suffering that I have gone through, that my family has gone through. -Nora Martin, Tofino B.C., residential school survivor. "It's a profound day, the survivors I have had a chance to speak to have been waiting for a long time for the country to acknowledge the wrongs that have been done and I am hopeful the apology will take responsibility for the totally unacceptable and racist policies of the past, but most important, it's got to be a day when we make a commitment to real change." - NDP Leader Jack Layton "The prime minister is to be commended for issuing this long-overdue apology to aboriginal victims of abuse in residential schools. The recognition that the residential schools assimilation program affected Aboriginal People in a very significant negative way is an important step in the healing process. However, we cannot stop here. We must work to right the wrongs that were committed. Canada needs a comprehensive healing strategy developed jointly with Aboriginal People so that we can move forward to share in a better future, away from this dark chapter in our country's history." - Green Leader Elizabeth May "Today's apology by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to survivors of residential schools provides an opportunity to begin the act of healing. We sincerely hope that healing will evolve from this apology, and that it will be a significant step toward closing a tragic chapter in Canada's history." - British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell "We've been working hard here in Ontario to lay down a foundation for a stronger, better working, more progressive relationship with our Aboriginal Peoples and I think an important part of that foundation will be laid by the prime minister today when he makes a formal apology." "This is part of our history and this is an important way for us make some of that right."
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