Province pushed for ’60s Scoop apology

In 2015, the Saskatchewan Party made a commitment to formally apologize for the province’s role in the ’60s Scoop.

Two years later, and with no apology in sight, the NDP has renewed calls for the Sask. Party to follow through on that promise.

From 1966 to 1975 in Saskatchewan, First Nation and Metis children were removed from their families without consent and adopted into non-indigenous families.

Often, the parents were never told where their children were placed. Families were torn apart, and indigenous children were raised without their culture.

“It’s all part of moving on,” said Buckley Belanger, NDP First Nations and Metis Relations critic. He said the apology will provide the closure that victims of the ’60s Scoop need to heal and move forward.

Belanger said he believes the promise was only intended to garner support from indigenous voters, and notes the actions of the Sask. Party since then show indigenous issues are not a priority for the party. Belanger referred to moves like defunding the Northern Teacher Education Program and budget cuts to the Aboriginal Court Workers Program.

He said even the closure of the Saskatchewan Transportation Company has a negative impact on indigenous people in particular.

“I think they’re embarrassed by their actions because they obviously have done a lot of things contrary to the health and well-being of the aboriginal community, especially those impacted by the ’60s Scoop,” said Belanger.

As a First Nations woman, Shaylyn Smokeyday also questions the motivation behind the Sask. Party’s promise.

“In a way, I feel like they just say these things so we’ll stop asking for them to do these things for us,” Smokeyday said at a National Aboriginal Day event on Wednesday.

You see that today with any kind of political leader. They make these promises to us and you see a lot of them not following through with them.”

Robin Adeney works in downtown Regina. She also attended National Aboriginal Day activities on Wednesday during her lunch break.

“I don’t know a lot about that particular promise. But I think any harm done, there should be an apology. Absolutely,” said Adeney.

Belanger said he can’t speak for the Sask. Party as to why it’s taking so long, but feels like they’ve made a lot of excuses, saying the timing just hasn’t worked out with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.

He emphasized that while the NDP is renewing its call for the Sask. Party to make the formal apology, it was the Sask. Party that made the promise in the first place.

“Two years, you can’t figure out a date? Come on. Get real. You promised it, so follow through with it,” said Belanger.

Belanger said the NDP has put pressure on the Sask. Party over the last couple of years to no avail.

“My understanding is FSIN would like to see the Metis elections concluded first,” Premier Brad Wall told reporters in Saskatoon on Wednesday.