The national leaders of the Assembly of First Nations, The Anglican Church of Canada, The United Church of Canada, and The Presbyterian Church in Canada, along with representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, travelled in early March 2008 to Ottawa, Vancouver, Saskatoon and Winnipeg to highlight the need for healing and reconciliation.

Vital to healing and reconciliation is the engagement of all Canadians in the process of examining the legacy of residential schools and remembering the children: those who attended residential schools, the children and grandchildren of residential school survivors, and all the children of Canada who will learn from what all of us do today to support the historic work of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

An estimated 1500 Canadians attended the four Leaders’ Tour events. The response from the public to each event was emotional and powerfully encouraging. Residential school survivors were honoured guests, and their voices were heard at each event.

The tour had a profound effect on each of the church leaders, all of whom commented on how deeply and personally they had been changed by the process, and how taking part in the events had deepened their commitment to follow-up and pursue the work of healing and reconciliation. Remarks from The Rev. Dr. Hans Kouwenberg, Moderator of the 133rd General Assembly, as he spoke at the Ottawa event on March 2, 2008, can be heard on the website at http://www.presbyterian.ca/node/2630.

Those in attendance at the tour’s concluding event in Winnipeg were reminded of the truth of the leaders’ words that the journey to healing and reconciliation will be long. Two Aboriginal women, survivors of residential schools, were moved to speak up, to express their pain. One spoke of her disbelief in the leaders’ words of apology. Words will need to be accompanied by action to demonstrate our sincere desire for healing.

All those who took part in the tour — Aboriginal leaders, church leaders, and survivors — agree it is critical that all Canadians reflect on the role they can play to contribute to the establishment of right relationships among neighbours in Canada. Only with everyone's support will we arrive at the truth of our history and achieve long-lasting healing and reconciliation.

For more information on Remembering the Children visit www.rememberingthechildren.ca.

For information on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission visit
http://www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca/TRC-eng.asp.
Also read The Presbyterian Record, May 2008, "Audacious Hope".