Commander Canadian Army, Assistant Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Environment Mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Statement / September 27, 2024 / National Defence

Greetings, Atelihai, Tawnshi, Uy’ skweyul, Pusu'l,

As National Defence Team Co-Champions for Indigenous Peoples, it is our privilege to serve as advocates for our Indigenous colleagues. In that spirit, we invite all of you to join us in recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30.

Commemorating the terrible history and continuing legacy of residential schools is part of the reconciliation process. By holding events across the country as we are today, we can play a small but important role in continuing this important journey.

Our thoughts are with all of those affected: the children taken from their homes, and the families and communities forever changed by the loss.

We mourn the Indigenous youth who never returned home. We acknowledge the experiences of those who did, as well as the ongoing impacts of the policies behind this sadly recent history.

We remember the many ways that Indigenous Peoples have contributed to the defence of Canada throughout its history. That is a story that begins before Confederation, continues through the World Wars, Korea, Afghanistan, and decades of peacekeeping missions.

First Nations, Inuit , and Métis peoples stood with us, even in times when they were not recognized as equals in Canadian society.

The renewal of nation-to-nation relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of this land is a priority across the public service, and Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces are no exception.

Today, Indigenous cultures are vibrant and visible within our workplaces. We are fortunate to have the guidance of a large network of Defence Indigenous Advisory Groups and other individual advisors to ensure we make policy that recognizes the importance of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership.

Every Canadian has a role to play in understanding and addressing the ongoing impacts of residential schools. We ask you all to accept that role and recommit to your learning journey. The federal government’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation website and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation are good places to start.

Thank you for being a part of this very important work.

Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, Commander Canadian Army

Peter Hammerschmidt, Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure and Environment)

Defence Team Co-Champions for Indigenous People