TRUDEAU ISSUES APOLOGY TO WILLIAMS LAKE FIRST NATION FOR HISTORICAL WRONGDOINGS AFTER OVER A CENTURY
Ottawa, Nov 25 - In a historic and emotional ceremony, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a formal apology to the Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) for being displaced from its village lands at the west end of Williams Lake in the 1800s. The apology was delivered in person by Trudeau to Chief Willie Sellars, former Chief Anne Louie, councillors, and elder Amy Sandy.
After waiting over a century for acknowledgment and compensation, WLFN finally received the formal apology that they had been seeking. Trudeau acknowledged the historical injustices faced by the community, stating that an apology is about "taking responsibility" and committing to learning from past mistakes.
The official apology read out by Trudeau emphasized that Canada's failure to protect or compensate WLFN for its village lands resulted in the loss of access to essential resources year-round. The government also acknowledged not having protected the land, which has had long-lasting consequences for the community.
Chief Sellars expressed gratitude to the Trudeau government for working with WLFN on their specific claims process, which brought the community $135 million. The funds have been invested into a community trust and have since grown to over $150 million.
"We must say this apology comes without any conditions. It gives us a fighting chance, levelling that playing field," Sellars stated.
The ceremony also included a reading of the apology in Secwepemc language by elder Amy Sandy, which Trudeau praised as an important step towards reconciliation. Coun. Dancing Water Sandy presented Trudeau with a beaded pendant created by Secwepemc artist Lisa McAlpine illustrating the Canadian flag, while Trudeau gifted Sellars with a framed art piece representing family and culture.
The event culminated in Sellars and other WLFN members singing and drumming the Honour Song, marking a new chapter in their journey towards reconciliation. The community will continue to build on this moment of acknowledgment, sharing their experiences through an upcoming screening of Sugar Cane, the documentary about St. Joseph's Mission Indian Residential School.
The full apology read by Trudeau during the ceremony is as follows:
"We want to acknowledge and apologize for the loss of your traditional land and the harm that was inflicted upon you as a result...
By taking over these lands without the consent of their owners, we denied you access to essential resources year-round. This is not only a great injustice but it also had long-lasting effects on your community...
Unfortunately, Canada has never protected or compensated WLFN for any of this land..."
Trudeau's apology marks an important step forward in reconciliation with Indigenous communities and serves as a commitment to recognizing the past, learning from it, and working towards a better future.