AMC Acknowledges Independent Special Interlocutors Final Report

Press Release

October 29, 2024

Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is pleased to acknowledge the release of the Final Report and the Indigenous-led Reparations Framework for Missing and Disappeared Children and Unmarked Burials. This critical report highlights the historical evidence of genocide, crimes against humanity, and the systemic dehumanization of Indigenous children—both in life and after death—who were forcibly taken from their homes as part of Canada’s Indian Residential School system. Tragically, many of these children went missing or were buried in unmarked graves, often in neglected, unprotected, and deconsecrated sites.

The report, which the Special Interlocutor, Kimberly Murray, described as the “Antidote to Denialism,” includes testimonies from Survivors that bring forward the trauma, loss, and intergenerational pain experienced by First Nations communities. Acting Grand Chief Betsy Kennedy expresses the importance of this work, saying, “This framework represents a pivotal step toward combating Residential School denialism. It is unacceptable that these types of denialisms persist in Canada, undermining the lived experiences of Survivors, families, nations, and communities impacted by the loss of their children.”

On the very day of the report’s release, Winnipeg witnessed the ugliness of denialism firsthand when racist signs denying the reality of unmarked graves were posted on private property. This blatant act of hate, occurring in a city that is home to Canada’s largest First Nations population and institutions dedicated to truth and reconciliation, underscores the urgency of countering denialism and enforcing accountability.

“The denial of these atrocities erases the truth and perpetuates harm against our peoples, nations, and communities,” says Acting Grand Chief Kennedy. “Canada must treat such actions as a direct attack on First Nations and acknowledge it as criminal hate speech. Every child matters, and our nation must reject these denialist attitudes that dismiss the suffering of our children and the ongoing trauma of their families.”

The report not only exposes Canada’s legal complicity in forcibly removing Indigenous children and moving them between government and church facilities, often without notifying their families, but it also calls on Canadians to remember and acknowledge these historical injustices as a safeguard against future harm. This report emphasizes that “collective memory” is essential, warning that Canadians can no longer be bystanders to reconciliation.

Also worth noting is that the report outlines 42 obligations for governments, churches, and institutions to fulfill an Indigenous-led Reparations Framework. Key recommendations include establishing a Commission of Investigations into the forced disappearance of Indigenous children and new federal legal frameworks to protect burial sites. This final report further critiques Canadian law, citing areas for improvement and emphasizing that Canada’s obligations under international human rights laws compel it to investigate, provide reparations, and take actions to support Indigenous-led efforts.

“The culture of impunity that has long shielded those responsible for these injustices must end,” Acting Grand Chief Kennedy says, “This report outlines a clear path forward, urging the federal government to implement all 42 recommendations and honour its legal and moral responsibilities to First Nations. Canadians need to confront this history with accountability, and that begins by implementing the necessary legal protections and providing reparations for the traumas inflicted on First Nations.”

The AMC calls on all levels of government and Canadian society at large to act decisively against denialism and hate-driven misinformation. This report, steeped in the dignity, self-determination, and sovereign rights of First Peoples, offers a meaningful path toward justice and healing. As Murray highlighted, this framework is an “Antidote to Denialism”—a critical tool in upholding truth, remembrance, and respect for all First Nations children who endured unspeakable loss and dehumanization.

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For more information, please contact:

Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email:  media@manitobachiefs.com

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