Advocate says ‘60s Scoop apology ‘historic’ for province

One of the leading voices behind a call for the provincial government to formally apologize for the ‘60s Scoop says he’s proud after learning Premier Scott Moe will be keeping a promise made by former premier Brad Wall.

“I’m very honoured that Premier Moe is delivering that apology and I feel happy to be part of a historic moment in the history of Saskatchewan,” said Robert Doucette, a Métis man who was taken from his family in 1962 and placed with non-Indigenous foster parents.

Doucette was among those who started calling three years ago for then-premier Wall to deliver a formal apology from the province.

Wall wound up exiting provincial politics before he got the chance, but this week saw his successor commit to delivering the apology on Jan. 7.

“It’s a good day for all citizens of Saskatchewan and for the ‘60s Scoop survivors,” Doucette said.

However, he cautioned that he and other children who were taken away from their families were hoping for action to accompany the words from the province.

“They want to hear an apology but they also want to hear what action is going to come from the Government of Saskatchewan to deal with some of the outstanding issues,” he said.

The provincial government’s apology was put together following a series of sharing circles around the province which gave people who were affected by the ’60s Scoop the chance to describe their experiences.

—With files from 650 CKOM’s Erin McNutt