Hello, Tansi, Aniin,
In 2015, during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, I watched with great sadness the heart-wrenching testimonies of residential school survivors. How have men and women been able to inflict such irreparable harm to entire families and especially to children torn away from their families? The discovery of 215 children’s bodies in Kamloops once again marks this dark history of our country. I can’t imagine what my wife and I would be like today if the government had come to take away our children at the age of 3, 5, 7 or 9, never certain of seeing them again, preventing them from speaking French and tearing away all memories of their Franco-Ontarian roots. Hopefully, these distressing events will be one of the last steps towards community healing and the rebuilding and reappropriation of a proud culture essential to a generous and compassionate Canada.
Thanks, Kininask-omitin, Miigwetch
Philippe Boissonneault
Chair of the Board of Directors
Hello, Tansi, Aniin,
As a Canadian and as a Franco-Ontarian, my heart is torn by the sad news of the discovery of 215 children’s bodies in Kamloops. How, in a country like ours, where freedom and diversity are so important, could such atrocities be allowed? In solidarity with the founding peoples of our continent, I hope that reconciliation can take place in the essence of humanity, mutual aid and solidarity. It is important to make these missteps known to our future generations so that they will never repeat the mistakes of the past. These mistakes can never be erased, but together we can create a better world. The Caisse Alliance team believes in it.
Thanks, Kininask-omitin, Miigwetch
Pierre Dorval
President and CEO