'This is about our children:' Ottawa march calls for independent investigation into residential schools
More than 500 people marched through downtown Ottawa on Saturday, calling for an independent investigation into Canada's residential schools.
"We march for justice and truth today but it is just the beginning," said NDP MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq.
The MP for Nunavut and NDP MP Charlie Angus organized the "March for Truth and Justice" on Parliament Hill and in downtown Ottawa.
In a post on Instagram, Qaqqaq said the march will "demand an independent investigation into Canada's crimes against Indigenous Peoples. Enough is enough: (Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau and (Minister of Justice) David Lametti need to stop making excuses and ensure that we have a special prosecutor."
On Parliament Hill, Qaqqaq said the march is being held so, "Our children are not sitting here as elders asking for their basic human rights."
"We need to stop being so selfish. This is not about us, this is about our children, this is about individuals who lived and continue to live through horrors, through traumas. This is bigger than this and this is just the beginning."
After listening to speeches on Parliament Hill, the rally walked to the Prime Minister's Office and the Department of Justice chanting "No Justice, No Peace!"
"Turn over those documents, expose these men. That's why we're here," said Angus, accusing the federal government of hiding church documents.
Claire Sackaney from James Bay Cree First Nation said she hopes the march will push the conversation forward to find truth and justice for everyone involved.
"We've been trying to speak up for years, centuries and yet we haven't been heard until these children were found."
Standing in front of the Prime Minister's Office on Wellington Street, Qaqqaq called for an independent investigation into Canada's residential schools.
"We march because we know this is not right," said Qaqqaq. "We march to right that wrong, to fulfill that injustice for our people and ourselves."
On July 8, Qaqqaq and Angus called for the federal government to appointment a special prosecutor to investigate Canada's residential schools after the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at school sites across the country.
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Lametti said the federal government is committed to working with Indigenous communities across Canada.
"I have held frank and productive discussions with Indigenous leaders about the next steps the government needs to take to support Indigenous communities, particularly survivors and their families, following the horrific discovery of graves in Kamloops and Marieval," said Lametti on Saturday.
"Our government is committed to working with affected Indigenous communities across Canada to protect graves and burial sites using all available measures, including the criminal law."
Lametti also addressed calls for a special prosecutor to investigate Canada's residential schools.
"While I do not have the authority to initiate criminal investigations, as this is an exclusive power of the police, we will consider all options that will allow the survivors, their communities and the country to move forward on the path to healing and reconciliation," said Lametti.
With files from CTV News Creeson Agecoutay and the Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza, prompting Israel to say it would send a delegation to negotiate – though it warned the proposal remained far from the 'necessary requirements.'
An American soldier was arrested in Russia and accused of stealing, U.S. officials say
An American soldier has been arrested in Russia and accused of stealing, according to U.S. officials. The soldier was stationed in South Korea and was in the process of returning home to the United States, but travelled to Russia.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Competition Bureau launches inquiry into Lululemon over 'greenwashing' allegations
Canada's Competition Bureau has launched an inquiry into Vancouver-based Lululemon following a complaint from members of an environmental group.
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to quash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc tabled legislation in the House of Commons on Monday proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Bill C-70 proposes to enact a new 'Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act.'