Canada's chief justice calls treatment of First Nations an attempt at 'cultural genocide'

Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin made a speech Thursday evening about Canada's treatment of First Nations. And she used a phrase that no sitting politician in Canada has: "cultural genocide."

Chief Justice McLachlin called Canada's attempt to destroy the culture of aboriginal people the worst stain on the nation's history.

She was giving a lecture at the Global Centre for Pluralism at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.

She characterized Canada's driving ethos during the last century and a half this way:

"The objective was -- and I quote from Sir John A. Macdonald, our revered forefather -- 'take the Indian out of the child,' and thus solve what was referred to as 'the Indian problem.' 'Indianness' was not to be tolerated. Rather, it must be eliminated. In the buzz-word of the day, assimilation. In the language of the 21st century, cultural genocide."

Take a listen to part of her speech. McLachlin's words come at a time when Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission is drawing to a close. On Tuesday, the summary of the commission's report will be released. Tune in to As It Happens for more coverage.