By Deborah Gyapong
Canadian Catholic News

JUSTICE Murray Sinclair jokes that he tries not to think about how "scary" his appointment is, as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

"It's a very daunting task," said Manitoba's first Aboriginal judge in a recent interview from Northern Manitoba. "We have a long road to walk, and we don't have as much time as we could probably use to get there."

Sinclair, who was appointed to the position in June, said he is committed to an accurate TRC process that will treat all parties fairly -- including those who have a positive story to tell about their experiences with residential schools.

Chief Wilton Littlechild, a lawyer and former Member of Parliament from 1988 - 1993 and Marie Wilson, a bilingual former reporter who also served as a regional director of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, will join him as commissioners. The new TRC officially convened July 1.

Sinclair said the first step is to reconsider both short-term and long-range plans. "We still have to wrestle our way out of our current obligations," he said.

Pierre Baribeau, a lawyer who represented the 50 Catholic entities in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) that called for the TRC, said he was pleased with the process of finding the new commissioners.

"I think they are top candidates," said the Montreal-based lawyer in an interview from Vancouver. "It bodes well for the future."

Baribeau praised Sinclair's experience. He was first appointed to the bench in 1988. He also has commission experience in his role as co-commissioner of the Manitoba Aboriginal Justice Inquiry.

Baribeau raised concerns about how well the TRC will be able to integrate all the parties so they feel at ease to participate at every level. The TRC also has to cover the whole of Canada. "The Catholic entities have not been treated fairly by the press," he said. "It is not as easy for them to consider appearing." Minimal guarantees are needed not only by survivors but also by people from the religious communities, he said.

"I would love to hear from them," said Sinclair. "I know that there were many people who devoted their lives to the children [at the schools], and who worked hard to ensure that the children's difficulties -- that arose naturally from being taken away from their families -- were dealt with in a positive way.

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"I have had elders speak to me and tell me that they are not happy with the fact that the public seems to think that everybody who went to residential schools was abused," he added. "They had a generally positive experience with residential school life. Our thinking would be that that voice is also part of the conversation."

The TRC also needs to provide a safe place for those who suffered horrendous abuse in these schools, he said. "One of the things that reconciliation calls for is an opportunity for the good and the bad to be shared."

Keewatin-Le Pas Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie, whose diocese was among the 50 Catholic entities that ran residential schools, said in an email interview that he is happy a choice has been made and the process can get underway.

"My hope is that this will truly be a fact-finding process that will seek to present a factual, unbiased, accurate and balanced record of the reality of the residential school experience from the perspective of all who were involved: former students who may have had a positive experience, survivors who had terrible and even tragic experiences -- and the descendants of both, as well as workers and their descendants," he stated.

The TRC was supposed to begin hearings a year ago. But its work derailed when a dispute developed among commissioners -- and the previous chair, Justice Harry LaForme, resigned last October. The other two commissioners resigned several months later, to provide a clean slate. "I hope that the previous experience has taught all involved some lessons to build on that will assure the success of this venture," said Lavoie.

Assembly of First Nations national chief Phil Fontaine welcomed the appointments.

"First Nations citizens and survivors across the country are eager to see the Commission begin its work as soon as possible," said Fontaine in a statement. "It is important that survivors and all those involved in the schools have a chance to tell their stories. The Commission will be an important vehicle to advance our national goal of reconciliation by building greater understanding among all the peoples of this land."

Regarding the new TRC chair, Fontaine said: "I know Mr. Justice Sinclair personally and professionally -- and his experience as a judge and scholar, and his strong understanding of his culture and traditions, will ensure he brings the expertise, insight and sensitivity that will be so important to the work of this commission."

Fontaine also said he had the highest respect for Littlechild and Wilson as commissioners.

-- Courtesy of Canadian Catholic News. Please do not reprint without permission.

July 9/2009