Charles: we feel the pain of Canada’s indigenous people
THE Prince of Wales has made a major intervention in support of the indigenous people of Canada, rewriting his speech for the final day of tour to say their “pain and suffering” must be understood.
In an unexpectedly heartfelt speech during his final hours in Canada, he said he had been “deeply moved” by meeting survivors of the residential school scandal, who were taken from their families and in many cases abused at church-run institutions. Paying tribute to their “courage” in sharing their stories with the Prince and Duchess of Cornwall, he said the couple “want to acknowledge their suffering and to say how much our hearts go out to them and their families”.
“All leaders have shared with me the importance of advancing reconciliation in Canada,” he said.
“We must listen to the truth of the lived experiences of indigenous peoples, and we should work to understand better their pain and suffering.
“We all have a responsibility to listen, understand and act in ways that foster relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples in Canada.”
In closing remarks at Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, the Prince told a crowd: “Our visit has enabled us to deepen our understanding of this important moment in Canada’s journey.”
It is understood that the Prince had originally intended to say only brief remarks about the trip, the environment, and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at the ceremony, but changed his mind after hearing from residential school survivors, indigenous community leaders and Canada’s Governor General throughout the three-day tour.
In remarks finalised while on the flight from Ottawa to Yellowknife, the Prince opted to say more about the scandal, adding his voice in support of indigenous people who are fighting for colonial wrongs to be recognised.
His contribution will be viewed as deeply significant, as a representative of the Queen and in his role as a future head of state in Canada.
It comes a year after the discovery of hundreds of bodies of schoolchildren in an unmarked grave shocked the Canadian people. They are undergoing a process of “reconciliation”, as indigenous leaders call on the Queen – as Queen of Canada and head of the Anglican Church – to apologise and support reparations for the families of the estimated 150,000 children taken from their homes to be “integrated” outside their own traditions.
The three-day tour has been dominated by the topic, with the Prince and Duchess attending a Heart Garden ceremony to acknowledge both lost and surviving residential school children.