The federal government has formally apologized for the forced relocation of a First Nations community in northern Manitoba 60 years ago.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett visited the Sayisi Dene First Nation on Tuesday and apologized for the 1956 forced move.
“The Government of Canada apologizes for having relocated the Sayisi Dene people and recognizes that this relocation had a catastrophic impact on the Sayisi Dene community.” said Bennett in a media release.
The Sayisi Dene were forced out of Duck Lake to an area near Churchill, partly because the Manitoba government believed they were causing a steep decline in the caribou herd. That idea was later proven untrue.
In their new location, food was scarce and housing inadequate. The Dene turned to scavenging the dump and were assaulted by Churchill residents.
“We deeply regret the wrongs of the past and the heartbreaking legacy of shattered lives that continues to affect members to this day. Today we pay tribute to the victims and survivors of the relocation, as well as future generations, as we now take our first steps together on a path of renewal and healing,” Concluded the nations Indigenous Affairs Minister.
Chief Ernest Bussidor says many survivors suffered post-traumatic stress.
“The Sayisi Dene First Nation are a resilient and patient people. Against all odds we have survived the years our people lived in Camp 10 and Dene Village in Churchill,” said Chief Bussidor in the release as well. “We are resilient enough to reacquire our traditions, language and culture and patient enough to wait 60 years to hear the Government of Canada admit their wrongs.”
The federal apology comes with a 33-million-dollar settlement package that was approved by the community three years ago.