Canada is grappling with a growing understanding of the enormous suffering endured by Indigenous children at Canada’s Residential Schools, and the lasting pain in Indigenous communities. There have been many positive demonstrations of goodwill, sympathy and support by Canadians, but there has also been anger, intimidation and vandalism that threaten reconciliation. If we really want to help Indigenous peoples we should begin by listening to them about the needs of their communities, their desire for prosperity for their people, and their fear that a polarized debate will only set back years of progress.
Chief Cadmus Delorme, Cowessess First Nation, in conversation with our moderator MLI Munk Senior Fellow Ken Coates (pre-recorded).
This was followed by a discussion with our panelists.