More than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were placed in residential schools from the late 1800’s through the twentieth century. These government-funded, church-run schools were set up to eliminate parental involvement in the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual development of Aboriginal children. The ongoing impact of residential schools has been felt throughout generations and has contributed to social problems that continue to exist.

In 2008 the Prime Minister of Canada extended a formal apology to the survivors of the residential school system and, at the same time, established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission with a mandate to learn the truth about what happened in the residential schools and to inform all Canadians. Join Chief Wilton Littlechild, Commissioner with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, for this Big Thinking Event at Congress. Chief Littlechild will reflect on the Commission’s successes and challenges and how Canadians can learn from its legacy to forge a new national covenant.