Hub Podcasts Downplaying questions only makes reconciliation harder
Aug 28, 2025
Aaron Pete, a law graduate from UBC, shares insights on the vital issues surrounding unmarked graves and the denialism of residential schools. He reflects on an Indigenous chief’s candid views, advocating for acknowledgment of Indigenous suffering. The conversation emphasizes the need for open dialogue, confronting uncomfortable truths, and the role these discussions play in genuine reconciliation. Pete's commentary sheds light on the complexities of navigating Canada’s historical narrative while highlighting the importance of respect and honesty.
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Hold Two Truths Together
- Reconciliation requires both acknowledgement of systemic residential school harms and rigorous public evidence for specific claims.
- Holding these truths together prevents mistrust and preserves credibility for the reconciliation project.
Incomplete Records Mask True Toll
- Historical records show thousands of confirmed deaths and many more likely unrecorded at residential schools.
- The TRC found that death records were incomplete or destroyed, making the true toll higher than official counts.
A Family's Intergenerational Harm
- Aaron Pete shares family history: his grandmother was abused at St. Mary's Indian Residential School and his mother has fetal alcohol syndrome.
- He uses this personal story to illustrate intergenerational harms from residential schools.
