Honourable senators, I rise today to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day of significance for our nation, which will be commemorated on September 30, 2024.

The history of Indigenous peoples in Canada is a story of resilience, strength and injustice. The dark chapters in our history have left deep scars that continue to affect Indigenous individuals, families and communities today. For too long, the experiences and suffering of Indigenous peoples in Canada have been marginalized, ignored and even denied.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation reminds us that it is time to confront this painful history, to listen to the stories of survivors, learn from their wisdom and engage in meaningful dialogue.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is not just a date on the calendar; it is a mandate for change, a call for us to collectively acknowledge the truth of our past and work toward a better future.

It is a day to reflect. It is a day to learn. It is a day to remember the children who never returned home from those schools and to honour the survivors, who have carried the weight of their trauma for generations.

This day is a testament to our commitment to acknowledge the painful truths of our past and work together to build a more just and inclusive future.

It is also a day of hope, a day that reminds us of our collective responsibility to seek reconciliation. It requires us to confront the systemic injustices that persist today, such as inadequate access to clean water, housing and education in Indigenous communities.

In closing, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day of reflection, of reckoning with our history and of committing to a more just and equitable future. Together, let us build a Canada where the wounds of the past are healed, where the truth is known and where reconciliation is not just an aspiration but a lived reality for all.