Canada PM Trudeau apologises for exoneration for six Tsilhqot’in Chiefs
Ottawa, Mar 27 (IBNS): Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday delivered a statement of exoneration on behalf of the Government of Canada to the Tsilhqot’in Nation and the descendants of six Tsilhqot’in Chiefs, media reports said.
These chiefs fought against the colonial government of the time and were leaders and warriors of the Tsilhqot’in Nation.
These are regarded by their people as heroes but were reportedly hanged in 1864 and 1865 although they acted in accordance with their laws and traditions.
Today, the Tsilhqot’in people, including the descendants of those six chiefs, continue to live and care for Tsilhqot’in lands and to fight to preserve their territory and culture.
“The Chilcotin War has defined us as who we are today...in a way that ensures our children will not have to see such things as Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, high Indigenous incarceration rates, or over representation of Indigenous children in the foster care system,” Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chairman, Tsilhqot’in National Government was reported to state.
A Letter of Understanding between Canada and the Tsilhqot’in Nation was reportedly signed in January 2017, another step toward reconciliation and recognition of our nation-to-nation relationship.
Apologising for the capture, arrest, and hanging of the six Chiefs, Trudeau stated,
“I know that this posthumous exoneration cannot by itself repair the damage that has been done.It is my sincere hope, though, that it will allow healing to begin as Canada and the Tsilhqot’in Nation embark on a new journey together toward reconciliation. This is another important step forward to recognize and support the implementation of the rights of the Tsilhqot’in and all Indigenous Peoples, enshrined in our Constitution.”
“Our people’s journey to this place of reconciliation has been long and enduring. 154 years have passed where our truth has gone unrecognized. Under a flag of truce, our Chiefs were wrongfully shackled, tried, and hanged. We have always been proud of the sacrifices made by our Chiefs, who are heroes to our people, and continue to inspire and guide the work of the future. Today, Canada has finally acknowledged that our warriors did no wrong.”
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
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