'No reconciliation without truth', P.E.I. MLAs hear

MLAs on the legislative committee for health and social development heard a powerful message Wednesday afternoon: "there can be no reconciliation without truth."

The words were uttered by Chief Darlene Bernard of the Lennox Island First Nation in her opening remarks to the committee, and were repeated by presenters throughout the day as the committee received a briefing on Indigenous reconciliation.

"That goal will require an agreement, that both the Mi'kmaq and Prince Edward Island have arrived at a series of facts, which will guide our future relationship," Bernard said.

"This agreed upon statement of facts is an absolute prerequisite to moving forward."

Bernard said all Islanders need to familiarize themselves with the shared history of the province's Mi'kmaq and colonial past, recognize the treaties and repair what has been broken.

She also extended that to the MLAs in the room, and said reconciliation needs to be a forefront of their leadership in their communities. 

"We signed these treaties together and they are still relevant to this day. They are a part of the constitution … you can't just throw them away and say that they don't exist," she said.