Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apology to the Aboriginal community yesterday was a brilliant piece of communication to rebuild the rocky relationship between Natives and government.

He was apologizing for a government policy (1870s-1970s) that forced thousands of young Aboriginals to leave their families to be taught in residential boarding schools devoid of Native culture. Many of these youth were abused.

The intention of the apology was leaked nearly a week before - extending the coverage of the story. The speech delivered in the House of Commons by the Prime Minister was emotional and honest. And the National Post reports that the Prime Minister rewrote the majority of it – rejecting drafts provided by public servants and political staff - making his words seem more sincere. But more than anything else three words made a difference “I am sorry.”

Politicians and corporate heads have said these words before – sometimes they are blown off as spin or ‘what they were told to do.’ This time, the PM seems to have hit the mark.

Most of the aboriginal community is overjoyed by the apology.

And it also received highly positive coverage from the media. The National Post headline was ”Native leaders praise apology” while the lead paragraph stated, “Aboriginal leaders hailed the Prime Minister’s apology for the residential school system yesterday as a turning point in the history of relations between natives and other Canadians.” 

 The Toronto Star reported, “”These are happy tears,” said Holly Danyluk, a James Bay Cree. The atmosphere among the many native families who had gathered on Parliament Hill was almost festive early in the afternoon, like a big family picnic. Old friends and family members reunited, pinched babies’ cheeks and shared cold drinks and ice cream. Music played in the background in the form of traditional drumming and chanting.”

 

The Victoria Times Colonist headline stated “Joy, hope greet apology” while the Montreal Gazette used “Apology is the first step to true reconciliation.”