ITK/TRC Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Inuit Leaders Agree in Principle to an Inuit Subcommission

Thursday July 16, 2009 - Ottawa, Ontario - The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, Chairperson of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Commissioners Marie Wilson and Chief Wilton Littlechild met yesterday with national Inuit leader Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK). They agreed in principle subject to working out the details including budgetary implications, to the establishment of an Inuit subcommission as an integral part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

"It is my expectation," said TRC Chairperson Justice Murray Sinclair, "that nothing will be done in the Arctic without Inuit involvement. The three Commissioners have always intended to ensure that Inuit will have a process that is specific to Inuit needs. This is part of our commitment to an inclusive process. There are examples in other Countries notably Australia and South Africa where truth telling sub Commissions were created to ensure that the Survivors stories could be told."

The TRC acknowledges the distinctive Inuit language, culture and way of life and that Inuit were profoundly affected by the residential school experience.

"I am pleased that the Commissioners understand the need to establish a forum for Inuit survivors to tell their stories in their own language, in their own communities," said Mary Simon. "This decision reflects the spirit of a resolution passed by Inuit leaders in late June at their Annual General Meeting to establish a sub-commission to ensure that Inuit survivors of the residential school experience are fully consulted as part of the truth-telling and reconciliation process."

These approaches will not duplicate the research, policy development or planning of the TRC, nor act as a separate structure or process.
Inuit-specific work will be planned, orchestrated and implemented within the overall work plan of the Commission.

Justice Sinclair said, "We agreed to reconvene in early September to ensure we are making sufficient progress in regard to the establishment of an Inuit subcommission." Officials of TRC and ITK will work towards a common vision and proposal leading up to Sept.

TRC Commissioners Sinclair, Wilson and Littlechild were appointed on July 1, 2009. Their mandate is to inform Canadians about what happened in residential schools and to document the truth of survivors, families, communities and anyone personally affected by the experience. The aim of the TRC is to guide and inspire Aboriginal peoples and Canadians in a process of reconciliation and renewed relationships that are based on mutual understanding and respect.