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The MP for Kenora is urging the government to take quick and immediate action to address the painful legacy of the residential schools system.
Eric Melillo says the discovery of a mass grave of 215 children at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. re-opens deep wounds for Indigenous people across the country.
He says a lot can be done by the Prime Minister to honour these lost children.
Melillo says Canada must develop a plan to implement Calls to Action 71-76 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to bring closure to families and ensure the victims are finally granted the respect they deserve.
He notes that would include funding the investigation of all sites where unmarked graves may exist, and provide resources to communities to commemorate, or honour any individuals found.
The Conservative adds the government must ensure all Canadians are properly educated about the devastating impacts of residential schools.
Meantime, Melillo believes the federal action plan to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, and the LGBTQ community doesn’t go far enough.
The strategy was unveiled last week two years after the first National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Melillo suggests the document doesn’t provide clear direction.
“There doesn’t appear to be any new funding allocated. Sort of just a rehashing of old announcements. So I’m disappointed to see that. I think there should be a lot more resources in place and that’s something I will defiantly be pushing for and be fighting for.”
Melillo notes he still hasn’t gone through the full report and will closely watch how the government moves forward with this plan.
Here is the weekly column from Kenora MP Eric Melillo:
Dear Constituents,
Last week in the House of Commons, I gave a speech on the painful legacy of the residential schools system, following the discovery of a mass grave of 215 children a former residential school in Kamloops.
This discovery re-opened deep wounds for Indigenous people across the country – but sadly, it was not a shock. We know this is not the only site in Canada interring the remains of Indigenous children who died in the residential school system.
Thousands of children died while attending residential schools in Canada – including over seventy in the Kenora region. Many survivors are haunted by the memory of friends and siblings who disappeared one day and never came back.
These were children who died of diseases like tuberculosis, which was allowed to run rampant in the schools, or in preventable accidents due to negligence and insufficient safety standards. Others fled abuse and died of drowning or exposure as they tried desperately to get back to their parents.
The majority of families were not allowed to reclaim their children’s bodies to say a proper goodbye. Parents were rarely informed of the cause of death; in many cases, school officials didn’t even record the names of the students who died.
Last week, the Leader of the Opposition sent a letter to the Prime Minister with recommendations on how to honour these lost children.
Canada must develop a plan to implement Calls to Action 71-76 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to bring closure to families and ensure the victims are finally granted the respect they deserve.
We must fund the investigation of all sites where unmarked graves may exist, and provide resources to communities to reinter, commemorate, or honour any individuals found.
And we must ensure all Canadians are educated about the devastating impacts of residential schools, so we can work together to protect human rights and advance Reconciliation.
Working for You
As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, or if you would like to arrange a meeting, please call me at 807-223-2182 (Dryden) or 807-468-2170 (Kenora), or contact me by email at eric.melillo@parl.gc.ca.
Sincerely,
Eric Melillo
Member of Parliament
