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Commission Activities
The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement sets out an extensive mandate for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It ranges from research and report writing, holding national and community events, collecting statements from Canadians about their residential schools experience, and collecting documents from the parties to the Settlement Agreement, to educating the public through commemorative events. The work of the Commission to date is summarized best under the following headings:
- Statement Gathering
- Document Collection
- Research and Report Preparation
- A National Research Centre
- Commemoration
- National Events
- Community Events
Statement Gathering: Truth Sharing
Until now, the voices of those who were directly involved in the day-to-day life of the schools, particularly the former students, largely have been missing from the historical record. The Commission is committed to providing every former residential student—and every person whose life was affected by the residential school system—with the opportunity to create a record of that experience.
The work of other truth and reconciliation commissions has confirmed the particular importance of the statement-giving process as a means to restore dignity and identity to those who have suffered grievous harms. Statement gathering is a central element in the Commission mandate, and statement giving is voluntary. Since there are estimated to be at least 80,000 living former students, the magnitude and complexity of the Commission's commitment are significant. The statements gathered will be used by the Commission in the preparation of its report, and eventually will be housed in the National Research Centre (NRC, to be established by the Commission, and discussed in a following section).
Statement gathering has occurred at National Events, community events, and at events coordinated by the Commission's regional liaisons. Trained statement gatherers now are present in most regions across the country, with more resources being added continually.
Statement gathering involves recording the biographies of those providing statements to the Commission. Statement providers are encouraged to talk about any and all aspects of their lives they feel are important, including times before, during, and after attending a residential school. The family members of survivors, former staff, and others affected by the residential schools also are encouraged to share their experiences.
The Commission recognizes that providing a statement to the Commission is often very emotional and extremely difficult for individuals. For this reason, statement providers are given the option of having a health support worker, a cultural support worker, or a professional therapist attend their session. These health supports ensure statement providers are able to talk to someone who can assist them if necessary before and after providing a statement.
Individuals are given the option of having an audio or video recording made of their experiences. If they wish, they are given a copy of their statement immediately at the end of the interview. They may choose to provide their statement in writing or over the phone if proper health supports are in place.
Privacy considerations surrounding statement gathering are extremely important to the Commission. All persons who make statements to the Commission do so voluntarily.
