On Thursday, June 1, 2017, the University of Alberta took a step forward with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation by signing a new MOU partnership agreement. The agreement will serves as a deep and ceremonial acknowledgement of the University of Alberta’s commitment at the highest level to the work of reconciliation. It has created a framework for other activities at the University to bring awareness of Residential Schools and support progress towards Reconciliation.
The MOU links the University of Alberta to the ethics and protocols as defined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission through the Administrative Agreement with the University of Manitoba as the home of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. The NCTR’s mandate is to ensure that:
- Survivors and their families have access to their own history
- Educators can share the Residential School history with new generations of students
- Researchers can delve more deeply into the Residential School experience
- The public can access historical records and other materials to help foster reconciliation and healing
- The history and legacy of the Residential School system are never forgotten
As a partner the institution the University of Alberta Libraries and Vice-President of Research will be part of this national network to ensure we make this history accessible and work with communities to conduct new research which is meaningful and contributes to healing.
Here’s a look at the ceremony:
