Governor General apologizes for saying Indigenous people were immigrants

Ina ceremony honouring leadership on Indigenous issues at Rideau Hall, Gov. Gen. David Johnston has apologized for calling Indigenous peopleimmigrants to Canada.

Johnston was referring to his commentduring an interview with CBC Radio'sThe HouseSaturday. "We're a country based on immigration, going right back to our, quote, Indigenous people, unquote, who were immigrants as well, 10, 12, 14,000 years ago," he said.

A firestorm of criticism on social media ensued as some said the commentrevealed a deep-seated colonial mentality.

• GG's comment that Indigenous people are 'immigrants' sparks social media outrage

On Monday, he addressed the controversial remark during his opening statement in Ottawa.

"The better country we desire is above all a more inclusive one that supports, encourages and acknowledges the contributions of all peoples, including Indigenous peoples, the original peoples of this land.

"Let me apologize for not expressing myself correctly on this matter recently. Indigenous peoples are the original peoples," Johnston said.

Governor General apologizes for calling Indigenous people immigrants

7 years ago

Duration 0:38

Governor General David Johnston apologizes for a statement he made on CBC Radio's The House, where he said that Canada "is a country based on immigration going right back to our quote indigenous people unquote."

Famous recipients

Some 30 recipients, including Mohawk activist Sylvia Maracle and Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie, were honoured atRideau Hall, as Johnston handed out honours such as the Order of Canada, the Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division), the Polar Medaland the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers.

Some of the recipients are well known, including actress and former Liberal MP Tina Keeperand Inuit NHL player JordinTootoo,while others have been change makers in their communities outside the national spotlight, includingJarretLeaman, who has supported LGBT Indigenous youth,ImeldaPerley, an Indigenous languages teacher from St. Mary's First Nation in Fredericton, N.B, andChief Bill Cranmer, from Alert Bay, B.C., who has sought to recover potlatch artifacts confiscated by the Canadian government in the 1920s. (The government instituted a ban on the ceremonies as they were seen as an impediment to assimilation.)

Others, including Hovak Johnston and Marjorie Tahbone, were celebrated for protecting Indigenous cultural practices by reviving traditional Inuit tattoo art and reconnecting Inuit women with an art form that was "on the verge of being lost."

• Full list of honourees recognized for indigenous work
• Gord Downie appointed to Order of Canada

The three commissioners of the Truth and Reconciliation CommissionWilton Littlechild, Senator Murray Sinclair and Marie Wilsonwere also honoured by Johnston with the meritorious service awardfor shouldering the responsibility of the commission "with fortitude, compassion and perseverance." Sinclair was not in attendance and was to receive his honour at a later date.

"Over six years, they led the examination of the Indian residential school system, combing through myriad documents and witnessing the courage of survivors who shared their stories.Their final report invites all Canadians to confront the inequities of the past, and calls on governments and individuals alike to move forward, with greater understanding, towardsreconciliation."

Actor Tom Jackson, a past recipient of the Order of Canada, brought Prime Minister JustinTrudeauand his wife,SophieGrgoireTrudeau,to tears after the formal ceremonywith a moving call to action to improve the standing of the country's Indigenous people.

"I'm asked from time to time, 'would you like to see a better Canada?'" Jackson said. "I think if we want to see a better Canada we should maybe see Canada better."

Pointing at the Canadian flag, Jackson told the crowd that he believes the Maple Leaf is his "sister."

"I only want five seconds of your life to believe that just maybe I'm your brother," he said. "If that's my sister, and I'm your brother, now howdo you see that flag?"

Tom Jackson brings PM Trudeau to tears

7 years ago

Duration 2:48

Actor and singer gives moving speech at ceremony honouring leadership on Indigenous issues at Rideau Hall