Hub Podcasts Chief Aaron Pete: Why we need truth before reconciliation
Sep 30, 2025
Chief Aaron Pete, the youngest chief of Chawathil First Nation, discusses the critical intersection of truth and reconciliation in Canada. He shares personal stories about his grandmother's trauma from residential schools and the lasting impact on his family. Aaron emphasizes the importance of verified facts versus unverified claims, especially regarding the 2021 graves media reports. He critiques performative gestures in reconciliation, calling for evidence-based solutions to address poverty and community needs while encouraging open, respectful dialogue among all sides.
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Family Legacy Of Residential Schools
- Aaron Pete recounts his grandmother's attendance at St. Mary's and its cascading harms on his family across generations.
- He explains his mother was taken into care, developed fetal alcohol syndrome, and was raised in foster care after the 60s Scoop.
Bridging Two Worlds
- Aaron Pete frames his generation as bridging Western systems with Indigenous oral traditions to reclaim lost strengths.
- He warns against swinging too far and losing useful Western institutions while reviving Indigenous culture.
Media Failures Shaped The Debate
- Aaron Pete calls the 2021 graves story a catalyst that exposed weaknesses in media verification and national conversation-building.
- He argues the media didn't dig deeply enough, which complicated an otherwise necessary reckoning.