CMHR waiting for residential school system to be labelled 'genocide'

Justice MurraySinclairdescribed the residential school system as a form of "cultural genocide" against Canada's indigenous peoples as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) came to a close Tuesday. Now Canadians are waiting to see how many of the TRC recommendations are putinto practice, and whether places like the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR)will embrace the report's language.

AngelaCassie with the CMHRsaidthe museum already describesresidential schools in thecontext of a genocide, although she admitted it doesn't formallydeclare it as one.

The CMHR will be taking a close look at the TRC recommendations to try and integrate the new information into its exhibits, she said.

"We're looking at ways now to add to those exhibits, to speak to the report, and address some of the recommendations in the report," she said.

Cassieadded that whethertheCMHRwill formallyusethe term"genocide"in its residential school system displays depends onif the federalgovernment recognizes that as a legitimate description. If it does, the museum will follow suit, Cassie said.

Controversy arose before the museum opened in 2014 whenadvocates wanted the museum to call residential schools agenocide.

Provincial day for residential schools

The museum currentlyhighlights five genocides Canada recognizesand the people who fought for the distinction.

Maeegnan Linklater hopes the province dedicatesan entire day to the legacy ofresidential schools.

"My mother, my father were suvivors of the Indian residential school experience," Linklatersaid, addinghe grew up without his culture and Anishinaabe language because his parents were stripped of it in the schools.

He wants to see June 2honoured as "The Indian Residential School Genocide Reconciliation Memorial Day."

"Itrecognizes the harm that it's done to its own population," he said.

Linklater hasdrafted an act for the provincial parties to consider andhopesthey will follow the TRC's lead.