Canada’s apology to aboriginal peoples is communication of the highest order

Toronto, Canada (WACC) - Calling yesterday’s historic public apology to former students of aboriginal residential schools by the Canadian government, “a communicative act of the highest order”, the World Association for Christian Communication looks forward to the country’s leaders now acting on that apology.

While congratulating the government, a formal reaction to the apology issued by the organization says it would be “naive and wrong” to believe that merely apologizing and establishing forms of retributive or restorative justice might be sufficient. “Communicative acts are long-term processes that begin with genuine communication and continue long into the future ”, the response says. “It is a long road, but the first step has been taken.”

The organization’s General Secretary, Randy Naylor, emphasizes that, “Saying sorry opens the door to a process of reconciliation that intends to heal a broken relationship. How long that healing takes depends on the depth of the injury, the sincerity of the apology, and the actions that follow.”

La declaración completa:

Contact:
Philip Lee
Deputy Director, Program
Tel: +1 416-691-1999 ext 227
PL@waccglobal.org
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