Thank you, Elders Marilynn Buffalo and Ron Janvier, representatives of Treaty Six and the Métis Otipemisiwak Government.

There are so many leaders, dignitaries, chiefs, lieutenant governors, mayors, Members of Parliament, presidents, and educators here that I should acknowledge.

But I’m going to begin by acknowledging the children who are here, and to thank you and your parents for bringing you.

I used to come here as a child – I lived not far from here. When I used to come to Fort Edmonton, the lessons it left were very different. Incomplete. Partial.

Today is about the truth – for those children, those Survivors, and those who didn’t survive.

To the Survivors here with us, and to your families near and far: we’re here to honour you.

Today’s ceremony calls on us to hear your stories, to reflect on a dark chapter of Canada’s past, and to commit to move forward together.

In Elder Marilynn Buffalo’s prayer and blessing, we see and hear traditions that were carried forward through generations.

Traditions that somehow have been protected and preserved, despite the fact that for more than a century, this country ran residential schools. Over 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children attended them.

So many were taken from their homes and families.

All were separated from their culture, their language, and their identities.

Some never came home.

This is not a distant chapter in Canada’s past, but a truth that endures.

And truth is the foundation of justice.

We should not choose, as we used to here at Fort Edmonton, which parts of our history to remember.

We should not admire the beadwork and forget the children who were forced into uniforms.

We should not honour the drum and ignore the years it was made to fall silent.

And we should not hear the truth of residential schools and fail to act on it.

Honouring Canada’s history means facing its whole truth. Its beauty and its losses. Its strength and the harms it has done.

The nations who were here well before the birth of our country and the policies adopted to eliminate them.

And here we have another truth: these nations are still very much alive.

Their languages, their ceremonies, and their teachings are here with us this morning.

Survivors carried the truth when this country would not. More than 6,600 brave women and men told the truth to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Told the truth to people like Ron Janvier, who had to hear the stories and relay them.

Because of their courage, it is now on the record.

Responding to these truths is now our responsibility.

And we are responding. The gaps are still large, but we are responding.

In partnership with First Nations, we are closing the gaps in education – ensuring children on reserves have access to high-quality education that respects and embraces their culture.

We are building homes for families on reserve and throughout the country.

We are improving access to safe drinking water. We just put in new legislation, investing billions to maintain and operate water and wastewater systems.

We are building healthier communities, with an emphasis on mental wellness, primary care, and culturally relevant health care for First Nations and Inuit.

We are building a stronger, fairer, and more just Canada that rights its wrongs.

A Canada where we join forces to give the next generation a better and fairer life.

We know that it’s not just what we build, but how we build.

It’s about building sustainably – and sustainably means embedding Indigenous knowledge and leadership in our conservation efforts.

And it means building in true partnership with Indigenous Peoples, creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to develop, operate, and own major infrastructure projects. To share in the prosperity that’s created.

We are making progress, but the work of reconciliation is far, far from finished.

The wounds are still too deep, and the gaps are still too wide.

Reconciliation is a journey, not a destination. It’s an attitude, not an achievement.

Our job to move together as far and as fast down the path as we can.

So, Elder Buffalo, you encouraged us to celebrate today. I’m going to leave with a different message, but consistent.

When we leave here today, let the work of reconciliation continue.

And when this ceremony closes with a song from the Perfect Storm, our joy will be to listen – that’s the celebration.

Our responsibility, certainly the responsibility of government, will be to reflect.

Our task will be to act, together.

Thank you very much.