Canadian Justice Minister David Lametti announced on Tuesday that he has earmarked C $ 320 million (roughly $ 256 million) to help indigenous tribes discover and cope with the trauma of having to exhume loved ones in the graves of residential schools for indigenous peoples.
Since May, more than 1,300 graves, mostly minors, have been discovered in four old schools, but the estimated number is at least 3,200, according to a report.
The 139 Native Schools, the first of which opened in the 1820s, were an attempt to end native culture among miners and replace it with white culture.
About 150,000 indigenous children were separated from their parents and forced to attend these schools, which were often run by Christian religious orders: the Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and United Church. The last school closed in 1996.
Often the victims suffered physical, mental and psychological abuse, contracted life-threatening illnesses such as tuberculosis, and were buried in schools. The tombstones are long gone.
See also: “Canada could be accused of genocide”, residential school survivor
The funds will be used to dig up more graves and help survivors and their families cope with the trauma resulting from the finds.
It will also be used to pay an interlocutor “who will work with Indigenous peoples and make recommendations on federal laws, regulations, policies and practices related to unmarked and undocumented graves and burial sites in residential schools,” Lametti said.
“The Canadian government and the church have committed crimes against humanity, crimes against our children,” said RoseAnne Archibald, National President of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), after the minister’s announcement.
“Make no mistake, we are seeing evidence of genocide. Today’s announcement is long overdue. It is a long overdue step in recognizing the devastating damage these institutions have suffered and continue to suffer. Now is the time to be held to account, to act and to find a cure. ”Archibald added.
*Translated by Daniel Gallego.
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