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Kiiwetinoong MPP

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More Burial Sites Expected In The Region

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The MPP for Kiiwetinoong sees the discovery of potential burial sites at a former residential site near Kenora as just the beginning.

A total of 171 potential sites were discovered during testing at Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation since last May.

Sol Mamakwa says the discovery is further proof that the governments must continue working with First Nations to find all children who attend residential schools.

Mamakwa adds that all levels of government must continue to offer full support to the First Nations-led process of investigation, repatriation, and healing initiatives in light of another discovery of potential burial sites around a residential school.

Sixteen such schools were located in northern Ontario so he says it’s likely more burial sites will be found.

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Mamakwa Says Ontario Needs Take Treaties Seriously

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The MPP for Kiiwetinoong says he’s skeptical about the provincial government’s commitment to First Nation treaties.

Sol Mamakwa says even though Ontario is celebrating Treaties Week, the government’s actions leave him asking questions.

“When I see the substandard housing…when I see the boil water advisories…when I see the lack of education, like lack of schools and resources in our nations…that says a lot to me,” Mamakwa told the Ontario Legislature recently.

Mamakwa adds there are numerous problems is in own riding that show the government isn’t living up to it’s commitment.

“In my riding I see young people, 11 years old, dying by suicide. What work is Ontario doing to uphold their treaty obligations?”

Mamakwa says the whole debacle regarding Bill-28, leads him to question the government about honoring things like treaties.

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Mamakwa To Take Part In Pope’s Visit

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There will be some representation from northwestern Ontario when the Pope visits Alberta next week.

Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa will be travelling with the federal NDP delegation.

Mamakwa says the Pope’s apology was a good first step, but more needs to be done.

“I think its important to be able to expand on that apology,” Mamakwa told a media conference at Queen’s Park on Thursday.

“Also important that everyone us survivors, and the families, it’s upon them on how they receive it, how they take it. But I think we need to be able to move forward and certainly look at options behind that apology.”

Mamakwa says while he did got to a residential school, he did not go to a residential school run by the Catholic Church, but the visit can be the start of healing.

“Words are not enough anymore. We need to take some action behind those words and for example having some sort of healing initiative because trauma, crisis in our nations has become a way of life, and that’s not acceptable anymore.”

Mamakwa says it’s important the Pope and the Catholic church return sacred artifacts stored at the Vatican and the release of their residential school records.

(File photo)