LWI 2008-033 LWF General Secretary Welcomes Canadian Government Apology to First Nations

[LWFNews]

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LWF General Secretary Welcomes Canadian Government Apology to
First Nations 
Churches Urged to Confront Their Own Responsibilities Honestly
 
GENEVA, 13 June 2008 (LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF)
General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko has welcomed the Canadian
government public apology to the First Nations, as a significant
indication of the willingness to confront painful legacies of
injustice against Indigenous Peoples.

On 11 June Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered a public
apology to former students of Indian residential schools run by
the government and religious groups from the 1870s to 1970s,
describing the 'aggressive assimilation' policy as a sad chapter
in Canada's history.

In a statement released today, the LWF general secretary
expressed the hope that Canada's apology and a similar one in
February by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, would serve to
provoke recognition of Indigenous Peoples and their sufferings in
other parts of the world.

"Honest examination of past wounds is a necessary step to the
healing of memories. I pray that these apologies represent the
beginnings of an open process of deeper reconciliation between
Aboriginal and non-indigenous peoples," said Noko.

He expressed gratitude to the Lutheran church leadership in
Australia and Canada for publicly declaring support for the
official apologies issued by their respective governments, saying
it was an indication of the churches' engagement in the search
for reconciliation.

"In this process, churches must confront their own
responsibilities openly and honestly, in order to heal and be
healed," stressed Noko. (243 words)

The full text of Dr Noko's statement follows:

Statement from LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko
on Canadian Government Apology to First Nations


I welcome the apology issued on 11 June 2008 by Canadian Prime
Minister Stephen Harper for the abuses committed against children
of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in
federally-financed residential schools in Canada. This important
acknowledgement of responsibility follows a similar apology
issued in February this year by Australian Prime Minister Kevin
Rudd for policies that had inflicted profound suffering on
Australia's Aboriginal people.

I believe that such formal expressions of responsibility and
remorse are not only of historical and symbolic significance.
They begin to address past injustices and attitudes which, if not
addressed, perpetuate the suffering and discrimination. These
statements indicate a growing maturity and willingness in both
countries to confront painful legacies of injustice against
Indigenous Peoples.

Honest examination of past wounds is a necessary step to the
healing of memories. I pray that these apologies represent the
beginnings of an open process of deeper reconciliation between
Aboriginal and non-indigenous peoples in Canada and Australia. I
am grateful that Bishop Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and Rev. Michael Semmler,
President of the Lutheran Church of Australia, both declared
their support for the official apologies issued by their
respective Heads of Government, indicating the engagement of the
Lutheran churches in Canada and Australia in the search for
reconciliation. In this process, churches must confront their own
responsibilities openly and honestly, in order to heal and be
healed.

I pray that these initiatives will also serve to provoke
recognition of Indigenous Peoples and their sufferings in other
parts of the world in which injustices against them - and even
their existence as peoples - are not yet acknowledged. 

13 June 2008

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(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the
Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF
currently has 140 member churches in 78 countries all over the
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on behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such
as ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian
assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects
of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in
Geneva, Switzerland.)

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