The federal government is taking more steps to support Indigenous communities.
Officials say $321 million is being committed for initiatives such as researching and locating burial sites, and commemorating the children who died at residential schools.
As well, Northern Affairs Canada is teaming up with Crown-Indigenous Relations to create a National Advisory Committee to advise communities and the government on the work to locate burial sites.
Promises being made include the following
- $20 million to build a national monument in Ottawa to honour survivors and children taken from their families.
- $83 million to support the research and locating of burial sites
- $107.3 million to help Indigenous communities heal from trauma
- The appointment of a Special Interlocuter to recommend legal measures or reforms related to the discovery of unmarked graves
The announcement was made by Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous Services Marc Miller, Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Northern Affairs Daniel Vandal and Minister of Justice and Attorney General David. T. Lametti.
Lametti says in order for reconciliation efforts to continue, the government needs to act now.
"We will continue to work with Indigenous Survivors, families, communities and leaders, to ensure that there is justice for all the children who never made it home. We need to act now to ensure the human rights of Indigenous Peoples are respected. "
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