Newfoundland and Labrador’s official leadership fell considerably short in ensuring the safeguarding of Indigenous children from the detrimental impacts of residential schools, Premier Andrew Furey has acknowledged in a series of formal apologies issued this week to survivors residing in Labrador.
Presently on a tour of the numerous Inuit communities lining Labrador’s northern coast, Furey is using this opportunity to extend his heartfelt regrets to those who survived the residential school system as well as their families. His journey takes him through six stops.
In a statement translated into Inuktitut, Furey expressed remorse revealing, “The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador permitted these actions to take place. Our neglect and indifference disregarded our responsibility and duty to protect children who needed safeguarding.”
Present during Furey’s apology in Makkovik was Toby Andersen, a residential school survivor. He acknowledged the first steps towards reconciliation, however, underscored the necessity for the provincial government to follow up the apology with decisive action. Andersen cited multiple unresolved issues and argued for increased medical resources for his community, which had seen visits from a doctor only thrice in a four-year period.
In his statement, Furey admitted to the harmful practices of the residential schools: children were uprooted from their families and homes, sent to schools that dismantled their cultural, linguistic, and familial ties. The Morovian Mission and the International Grenfell Association established a total of five of these schools across different communities.
Survivors reported instances of sexual assault, physical abuse, and neglect in these schools. In his apology at the Inuit community of Rigolet, Furey stated, “I am sorry. If we hope to truly advance reconciliation with Labrador Inuit, we must fully comprehend the history of residential schools.”
These apologies to the Inuit community have been several years in the waiting. Previous promises of apologies were disrupted by factors like the COVID-19 pandemic. Even at a Federal level, Indigenous families had to hold out for an apology. Their wait ended when a class-action lawsuit was settled in 2016 and incumbent Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reversed his stance.
Mayor Charlotte Wolfrey, who accepted Furey’s apology in Rigolet and is herself a survivor, emphasized on prioritizing healing and wellness among survivors. In anticipation of Furey’s continued tour in other communities, the survivors pledge to ensure the tragic events are permanently remembered as they accept his apology.
