The turtle, where sacred fires were lit in front of the NCTR
Historic investment in NCTR helps shape the future for generations to come
Funding includes permanent home at University of Manitoba
Released yesterday, the Federal Budget 2022 proposes to invest an additional $11 billion over six years to continue to support Indigenous children and families, and to help Indigenous communities continue to grow and shape their futures.
Included in this funding is $209.8 million over five years, starting in 2022‑23, to increase the support provided to communities to document, locate, and memorialize burial sites at former residential schools; to support the operations of and a new building for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR); and to ensure the complete disclosure of federal documents related to residential schools.
Stephanie Scott, Executive Director, NCTR, says: “We are thrilled that this budget delivers sustainable funding towards the construction and operation of a new home for the NCTR, along with increased support related to the missing children and unmarked graves, and the full disclosure of federal documents related to residential schools.”
“This commitment from the federal government will allow the vision of an Indigenous-led space that will care for sacred items and historic documents, including thousands of statements from Survivors. It will also be space of learning for generations to come,” says Catherine Cook, UM Vice-President (Indigenous) and member of the NCTR’s Governing Circle. “We welcome and are grateful for this commitment along with the support to communities to document, locate and memorialize missing children.”
Michael Benarroch, UM President and Vice-Chancellor, notes: “On behalf of the UM community, I thank the federal government for this significant commitment to invest in the crucial work and the permanent home of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. We are honoured to be the host of the NCTR and are committed to being a partner in advancing Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.”
Last August, a Land Blessing Ceremony was held at the future site of the NCTR at UM, the first step in envisioning its new permanent home. The NCTR is currently located on the UM Fort Garry campus in a historic building along the Red River. The new building will be situated in the Southwood lands on the Fort Garry campus and provide NCTR with the space it requires for the work mandated by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Survivors.
The federal government has expressed its commitment to a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, truth, co-operation, and partnership.
Stephanie Scott adds: “We are truly thankful to Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister Miller, and many others who are working with us on the ongoing path of seeking the truth for the Survivors, their families and communities.”