One apology, no matter how heartfelt, doesn't erase a century of estrangement.
Even if most aboriginal people believe the federal government is sincerely sorry about residential schools, that doesn't mean they'll be waving flags and singing "O Canada" on Tuesday with reborn patriotism. Many say it will take time and meaningful action before they see Canada Day fireworks as anything more than pretty lights that fade away almost as quickly as they burn.
"Call me up in a year's time," said Mi'kmaq Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy of
"They make it sound good, but they don't follow up on what they're saying."
Many aboriginals, including leaders such as Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Phil Fontaine, had warm praise for both the words and the emotion behind the June 11 apology from Prime Minister Stephen Harper. In that apology, Harper said the government was sorry for taking native children from their families and sending them to church-run schools far from their parents and their culture.
The words may have been a good start. But it'll be a while before many aboriginals feel truly reconciled with their country.
"(Canada Day) will be pretty much the same for me," said residential school survivor Harvey Tootoosis of
"With the apology, we can move forward with the reconciliation part and live together as equals."
Patricia Nadeau of
"The apology helped a little bit, but it can't erase a lifetime of distrust. My experience at residential school always made me feel distrust of government and official authority."
Proof of
"I'm very frustrated with the (amount of) money that's given out to save (aboriginal) languages."
Everyone shares the responsibility of turning words into action that will bring together aboriginal and non-aboriginal people, added Chief Ed John of
"(Moving) that apology to action doesn't mean it's just government or aboriginal peoples, it means broader Canadians as well."
In
Too many people still don't understand the damage that was done to roughly 150,000 students who attended the 132 schools for much of the last century, said Keni Jackson of
"All my troubles are in that building. I just want people to understand. That's the frustrating part of it for me - having people who don't understand."
Still, some say the apology has given Canada Day new meaning.
"I feel good about the country again," said Charlie Gaudet of
"I feel there are a lot of Canadians who are sympathetic to us. I would have like to have seen this happen years ago, but I just feel a weight's off my shoulders, and I think Canadians across the country have a better sense of just how damaging this residential school stuff was."
Charlotte Morris from
"The aboriginal people know how the government feels. When I was in Shubenecadie (residential school) it was all negative. (The apology) will give us a positive perspective."
Ultimately, said Joy O'Brien of
"This land belonged to my ancestors and I don't feel any different about it. We're celebrating this country. We all need to get along. We all live here ... we all belong here and we all have to move on."
And just like millions of his fellow Canadians, Tootoosis will crane his neck Tuesday night to ooh and aah.
"I still celebrate Canada Day. I'm Canadian. We're celebrating
Pretty lights are worth something after all.