Canadian Heritage committee  As I said, we were given a number. As boys, we weren't given a name. I was number 153, so when they said “153” I raised my hand. They didn't say “Norman”. They said “153”. That's in our blood. We've experienced racism ever since we got into residential schools in our communities.

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Madam Committee Member. It's almost like Christmas here. You are asking us, and I am wishing. I want to thank you for the very important question you've asked. I think the whole issue here is starting to put things into action. We say good words, but it's the system that certainly needs to look at what we are saying and put that into action.

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you very much for the question. If there is a day, I'm not too sure it makes a difference. You are in a better position to know than I am. I think that if there is a day, it should be a statutory day for me and the Assembly of First Nations to recognize it as a national day for the residential school survivors and families.

Canadian Heritage committee  I would like to see a day of commemoration—for all people, especially those who do not have a real understanding of the impacts of the residential schools—whereby former students, like me, could have an audience with you and talk to you about the real impact of what happened when I was taken away and put in a residential school, and about how, when I listen to my mother talk about September 30....

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you very much, parliamentary committee members. Mr. Chair, the gentleman has asked a very important question, and I think he has a very important point, that just for the sake of having a national holiday.... I believe that the Assembly of First Nations would want this to be a very meaningful way for all of Canada, including indigenous people, to really understand the impacts of the residential schools and the other policies that had effects on their lives personally and their communities.

Canadian Heritage committee  Marsi. [Witness spoke in Dene] [English] Thank you, Mr. Chair. In my language, I said thank you to my relatives on this call, and today is good weather outside. It's beautiful outside. Members of the committee, friends and relatives, thank you for inviting me here today to join in sharing the perspectives of the Assembly of First Nations on Bill C-5, an act that will result in a national day of truth and reconciliation as a national statutory holiday.