Truth and Reconciliation

Kathy Neil, Deputy Commissioner for Indigenous Corrections

Truth and reconciliation

Truth and reconciliation is big, and really in my opinion is about recognizing what has happened in the past, raising awareness with regards to it.

I'm Kathy Neil, I'm the Deputy Commissioner for Indigenous Corrections.

I think, probably coming from the Prairies and again being pretty contained in that and previous to really expanding that. As I was growing up I always thought, well, you know, everybody knows what Métis is, everybody knows the difference between treaty or status and non-status and everybody knows about the Riel resistance. But really when you move outside of your own environment, it is amazing how many people actually don't know and don't know about needing a pass to leave the reserve, and the Indian Act and all of the implications whether it be residential school or the 60’s scoop.

So again, the first part is acknowledging all of that, and then the second part is about how do we move forward, not in a substantive role or in a subservient role, but in a role of partners. And how do we improve the current status for Indigenous peoples, whether it be in the institution or out.

I think it really is about rebuilding and rebuilding in partnership.

Changing lives.
Protecting Canadians.