Two First Nations artists have pulled their work from the University of Calgary’s gallery in a protest over an event that invited students to debate whether residential schools were an act of genocide...

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has taken a stance against criminalizing expressions of 'residential-school denialism,' as proposed by NDP MP Leah Gazan and supported by federal NDP leader Avi Lewis. Kinew, known for his confidence, charisma, and media-friendly demeanor, has chosen education over legislation to address misinformation about residential schools. He emphasized the importance of continued educational efforts to combat false narratives rather than resorting to criminal penalties. Kinew's position aligns with his broader political approach, which includes openness to resource development projects like pipelines, a stance that has drawn criticism from anti-development groups. The Premier referenced a recent initiative where Manitoba purchased a campsite on the former grounds of the Brandon Residential School, with the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation now overseeing research and documentation of those buried there. Kinew's approach contrasts with the federal Liberal government's handling of similar issues, which he suggests has been more tendentious. The article notes that while the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has documented deaths at residential schools, primarily from tuberculosis, the controversy around 'show me the graves' claims has been exaggerated. Kinew's preference for education over legislation is described as unimpeachable, though his position on pipelines and resource development has made him a target for criticism from environmental and anti-development advocates. The article also touches on Kinew's potential future political ambitions, suggesting he might be a viable alternative to Avi Lewis for the NDP leadership if he were to pursue it. Overall, Kinew's approach to residential school denialism reflects a measured, educational strategy rather than punitive measures, positioning him as a pragmatic leader navigating complex political and historical issues.

The editors of Truth Before Reconciliation: Confronting Residential School Denialism admit they would rather be working with Indian residential school survivors on other issues, but the appearance of ...

Leaders of Indigenous groups in Manitoba are expressing strong opposition to Premier Wab Kinew's recent statement that residential school denialism should not be illegal. Kinew made these comments during an interview with CBC Manitoba's Information Radio, responding to a private member's bill introduced by federal NDP MP Leah Gazan. The bill, C-254, aims to amend the Criminal Code to make it illegal to condone, deny, justify, or minimize the residential school system in Canada through public statements. Kinew argued that criminalizing denialism is not the solution, emphasizing education over legal consequences instead. However, Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, president of the National Family and Survivors Circle, stated that Kinew's position 'creates further harm' for survivors and their families, stressing the need for accountability mechanisms alongside education. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs also expressed disappointment in Kinew's stance, calling it 'extremely disappointing.' Gazan, who has been advocating for this legislation since 2024, explained that while education is important, some individuals 'don't want to be educated,' and continued denialism constitutes a form of violence against Indigenous communities. She noted that the bill has yet to reach a second reading in Parliament, but she remains committed to advancing it, stating, 'I'm going to keep my promise.' The residential school system, which operated from the 1830s until 1997, forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families to assimilate them into Euro-Canadian culture, with over 4,000 documented deaths. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between educational approaches and legal measures in addressing historical injustices.

More than 500 students from 10 schools walked in orange in Kanesatake, honouring residential school survivors and promoting truth and reconciliation.

A column questioning the deaths of children at residential schools has led the Southern Chiefs’ Organization to condemn the Winnipeg Sun and express concern that the newspaper’s CEO is running for may...

YouTube video by Aspen Black

To mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—and following a gathering of white nationalists near Kamloops, where members of Second Sons Canada displayed a banner invoking residential school ...

Radio One and CBC Music

Canada’s Indigenous communities have a right to truth about residential schools, archives, missing children and unmarked graves, tied to justice and reparations

YouTube video by Robin Edgar