I would like to see a day of commemoration—for all people, especially those who do not have a real understanding of the impacts of the residential schools—whereby former students, like me, could have an audience with you and talk to you about the real impact of what happened when I was taken away and put in a residential school, and about how, when I listen to my mother talk about September 30.... Hearing the plane come in, she cried, because her children were going to be taken away for a long time and it really bothered her.
We didn't really give any honour to our parents and how they felt. They sacrificed us, and we did also. We should have an education of the people, that this is what really happened to us, because we couldn't really talk about it and about how it impacted our feelings and how it hurt us.
We just want you to know that we have a story to tell. Sometimes people in your position need to hear our stories and to give us the space and time. As the other gentleman said before you, we need an education period. I think the Assembly should work with you guys.
Thank you.