Truth Is Our Path to Reconciliation: A statement from CUPE BC defending truth, rejecting denialism, and calling for accountability

As we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, CUPE BC recommits to condemning residential school denialism and calls for those who perpetrate this inhumane traumatization of Survivors, their families, and their communities to be held accountable.

The truth of the Indian Residential School system is undeniable: it was a tool of cultural genocide designed to erase Indigenous peoples’ ways of life by eliminating languages, cultures, spiritual practices, and sovereignty. To accomplish this state-sanctioned goal, churches and the people who operated the schools subjected Survivors to physical, sexual, emotional, and colonial violence, with harms reverberating through generations of Indigenous people.

These facts are self-evident in the official records of the Canadian federal and provincial governments, records of the churches, decades of academically scrutinized historical research, and the testimony Survivors gave to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Canadian federal government admitted to and confirmed these facts in the June 2008 Statement of apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools.

Denying this truth is an unconscionable act of violence against Survivors, their families, and their communities, and a dishonour to the children who never returned home. Allowing this denialism to continue is a disgrace to our province and to Canada, and a betrayal of reconciliation.

Those who choose to spread these falsehoods and willfully harm Indigenous peoples—particularly those who hold positions of public influence and leadership in our province—must be met with the strongest possible condemnation and held accountable for their actions.

As a union rooted in solidarity and justice for all workers, we stand firmly with Indigenous members, families, and communities. As public service workers, we stand firmly with the Indigenous peoples of B.C. whom we serve every day. Speaking out against hatred is not just our duty; it is a core part of who we are.

In this spirit, the more than 120,000 members of CUPE BC demand public apologies from the perpetrators of residential school denialism. We call on all British Columbians to confront residential school deniers and hold them accountable for the harm they are causing. As Canadians, this is our collective responsibility.

This Truth and Reconciliation Day, honour Survivors by seeking the truth. Show your commitment to truth by wearing an orange shirt. Read and commit to enacting the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action. Listen to Indigenous voices. Most importantly, challenge denialism wherever you encounter it.

Truth is the path we must all walk together toward reconciliation. If we are ever to heal from this history, we must all commit to defending the truth.