Honorary Witness
About the Honorary Witnesses
As determined by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, one of the objectives of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was to “witness, support, promote and facilitate truth and reconciliation events at both the national and community levels.”
The term “witness” is in reference to the Indigenous principle of witnessing, which varies among First Nations, Métis Nation and Inuit peoples. Generally speaking, witnesses are called to be the keepers of history when an event of historic significance occurs. This is partly due to the oral traditions of Indigenous Peoples, but also to recognize the importance of conducting business, as well as building and maintaining relationships.
Through witnessing by honoured and respected guests, the event or work that is undertaken is validated and provided legitimacy.
Witnesses were also asked to retain and care for the history they witness and most importantly, to share it with their own people when they return home.
On October 15, 2009, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean became the first Honorary Witness. A ceremony was held at Rideau Hall, the Governor General’s official residence and workplace. At the National Events in Inuvik, Halifax and Saskatoon, as well as other TRC events, subsequent persons fulfilled this important role and committed to share what they learned.
Watch Michaëlle Jean Welcome Honorary Witnesses from the TRC (video) (CVR on Vimeo).
(The following names are listed chronologically).
TRC Honorary Witnesses
- Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean
Honorary Witnesses inducted at the TRC Northern National Event in Inuvik in June 2011
- Grand Chief Ed John
- Shelagh Rogers OC
- Robert Waisman
- Peter (Iguttaq) Irniq
- Francisco Cali Tzay
- John Dommett
- Refik Hodzic
Honorary Witnesses inducted at Revitalizing Reconciliation in Ontario — A Cross-Cultural Dialogue on September 28, 2011:
- The Honourable David C. Onley, O. Ont
- Marc Kielburger, CM, OMC
Honorary Witnesses inducted at the Atlantic National Event in Halifax in October 2011:
- The Honourable Andy Scott
- Charlotte Wolfrey
- Phil Fontaine
- Michael Abdur Rashid Taylor
- Judge Corrine E. Sparks
Honorary Witnesses inducted at the TRC Regional Event in Victoria, BC in April, 2012:
- Her Honour Mrs. Gwendolyn Point
- Dr. Andrea Walsh
Honorary Witnesses inducted at The Meeting Place, Truth and Reconciliation, Toronto 2012 conference in May 2012:
- Barbara Hall
- Victor Wong
Honorary Witnesses inducted at the Saskatchewan National Event in Saskatoon, SK in June 2012:
- Right Honourable Joe Clark, PC CC
- Sheila Fraser
- Tina Keeper
- Sir Sidney Mead
- James V. “Jim” Scarrow, S.O.M.
- Dene Robillard
- Samantha Tait
Honorary Witness inducted at Revitalizing Reconciliation Event in Manitoba — A Cross-Cultural Dialogue on November 6, 2012:
- The Honourable Philip S. Lee, CM, OM
Honorary Witnesses inducted at the Québec National Event in Montréal in April 2013:
- Charles-Mathieu Brunelle
- Éloge Butera
- Renée Dupuis
- Joé Juneau
- Right Honorable Paul Martin, P.C.
- Alanis Obomsawin
- Maine Wabanaki, State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Represented by Sandy White Hawk)
- Québec Native Women / Femmes autochtones du Québec (Represented by Vivianne Michel)
Honorary Witnesses inducted at the BC National Event in Vancouver in September, 2013:
- Naty Atz Sunuc
- Hon. Charles Cunliffe Barnett
- Patsy George
- Hon. Judith Guichon, OBC
- Chief Robert Joseph
- Stephen Lewis
- Nick Noorani
- Dr. Daniel Pauly
- Hon. Stephen Point, OBC
- Mayor Gregor Robertson
- Hon. Chuck Strahl
- David Wong
NCTR’s spirit name – bezhig miigwan, meaning “one feather”.
Bezhig miigwan calls upon us to see each Survivor coming to the NCTR as a single eagle feather and to show those Survivors the same respect and attention an eagle feather deserves. It also teaches we are all in this together — we are all one, connected, and it is vital to work together to achieve reconciliation.