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Canada’s apology to aboriginal peoples is communication of the highest order
Thursday 12 June 2008
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Toronto, Canada (WACC) - Calling yesterday’s historic public apology to former students of aboriginal residential schools by the Canadian government, “a communicative act of the highest order”, the World Association for Christian Communication looks forward to the country’s leaders now acting on that apology.
While congratulating the government, a formal reaction to the apology issued by the organization says it would be “naive and wrong” to believe that merely apologizing and establishing forms of retributive or restorative justice might be sufficient. “Communicative acts are long-term processes that begin with genuine communication and continue long into the future ”, the response says. “It is a long road, but the first step has been taken.”
The organization’s General Secretary, Randy Naylor, emphasizes that, “Saying sorry opens the door to a process of reconciliation that intends to heal a broken relationship. How long that healing takes depends on the depth of the injury, the sincerity of the apology, and the actions that follow.”
Full statement (English)
Contact:
Philip Lee
Deputy Director, Program
Tel: +1 416-691-1999 ext 227
PL@waccglobal.org
www.waccglobal.org
WACC promotes communication for social change. It believes that communication is a basic human right that defines people's common humanity, strengthens cultures, enables participation, creates community and challenges tyranny and oppression.
The World Association for Christian Communication is a UK Registered Charity (number 296073) and a Company registered in England and Wales (number 2082273) with its Registered Office at 36 Causton Street, London SW1P 4ST. It is an incorporated Charitable Organisation in Canada (number 83970 9524 RR0001) with its head office at 308 Main Street, Toronto ON, M4C 4X7.