N.L. premier apologizes to residential school survivors in southern Labrador

In a ceremony six years in the making, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey apologized Friday in Cartwright, on Labrador's southern coast, to residential school survivors and the NunatuKavutpeople on behalf of the provincial government.

The treatment ofNunatuKavut Inuit in residential schools represents a "tragic and sad chapter" in the province's history, said Furey.

"Today, with a heavy heart, I respectfully and humbly offer an apology to the students of NunatuKavut who attended residential schools in Newfoundland and Labrador," Fureysaid at the ceremony, held at the Cartwright Recreation Centre.

"As premier, and on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, I extend this apology to the students, their families, and to the people of NunatuKavut. We are sorry."

Furey was joined by Indigenous Affairs Minister Lisa Dempsterand NunatuKavutcommunity council PresidentTodd Russell on Friday, the day before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.The apology was promised by the Newfoundland and Labrador government in 2017, by then Premier Dwight Ball.

WATCH | Furey apologizes on behalf of the provincial government, acknowledging that his words don't erase the hurt:

I am sorry: Furey says apology to southern Labrador residential school survivors and families cant undo the hurt

12 months ago

Duration 4:48

In Cartwright, where a residential school operated until 1964, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey praised survivors strength and resilience and acknowledged his words dont relieve their suffering including sexual and physical abuse, and separation from their families.

"We have a responsibility to acknowledge the past," Furey said."When we look back at what former students endured we commend them for coming forward, for continuing to share their stories. Their bravery and resilience are a strength to all of us.Therefore, we make the solemn pledge that history is not forgotten, and must not be repeated."

After sharing the apology, Furey said he hopes it can help people on their journey of healing while acknowledging that his words could only do so much.

"The tragedy of enduring separation from families and communities is something you live with every day," the premier said.

"My words here today do not suggest that an apology relieves the pain and suffering that you are all enduring. However, by coming here today and expressing with complete sincerity that I am sorry, it is my wish that your journey of healing can truly continue."

Healing words

Russell was the first to take to the podium, calling Friday's apology an important and significant occasion.

"It is so important that we mark this historic day. It's a historic day here in Cartwright, in NunatuKavut, in Labrador, in this province, and in this country," Russell said.

"Today is about healing. It is about reconciliation. It is about recognizing so many of our people were removed from our families, from our communities, and yes, from our culture. We are hopeful that today may be a turning point in the journey to reconciliation that we are walking on together."

Russell said he felt the sincerity in Furey's apology.

"I hope that the former students and our families have also felt it. It's important, and I thank you," Russell said. "I praythat this day, this moment, may be a source of healing for some."

WATCH | Family members ofresidential school survivors share their thoughts on the provincial apology:

Families of residential school survivors reflect on provincial apology

12 months ago

Duration 3:34

Hear from daughters of two residential school survivors as they took in a provincial residential schools apology in Cartwright on Friday.

Cookie Lethbridge of Cartwrighthopes coming together as a community at the ceremony will help do just that.

Lethbridge's mother was abused at the Lockwood school in Cartwright, she said, adding that the abuse was often passed on to her own children.

"I'm not so sure that Mom would even be all that excited about an apology, because it's been a long time coming, Lethbridge said."But I know that she would be happy that people are together and healing from it."

Sandra Mugford,part of a drumming group that played at the ceremony, watched the apology while holding her uncle, who along with Mugford's mother and her four siblings attended residential schools.

"It sounded very sincere. [Furey] came with an open mind and an open heart, and I could really feel that. I could sense it," Mugford said.

The NunatuKavut community council represents about 6,000 Inuit in central and southern Labrador, but Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national representative organization for the Inuit in Canada, disputes NunatuKavut's claims of Inuit identity. Earlier this week, the Nunatsiavut government and the Innu Nation took exception to the apology to NunatuKavut, while Fureysaidthere will also be apologies made to the province's other Indigenous groups,

• NunatuKavut Inuit identity dispute has long history

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