Reconciliation Resources

Truth and reconciliation represent a journey toward healing and restoring relationships impacted by colonialism. It involves recognizing historical injustices, addressing the harm caused, and committing to actions that support a fairer and more inclusive future.

Truth: The process begins with uncovering and sharing the reality of what occurred, particularly regarding residential schools. It includes acknowledging the profound effects these schools have had on survivors, their families, and Indigenous communities.

Reconciliation: building and sustaining respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. This requires reflecting on past harms, acknowledging their impacts, and making deliberate changes to systems and behaviors to foster understanding, healing, and equity.

Truth and reconciliation are essential for recognizing past injustices, confronting ongoing inequities, and paving the way for healing and a more equitable future—particularly within the context of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples. 

Some key historical events that have led to the need for reconciliation in Canada include:

1. The Residential School System: For over a century, Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in residential schools, where they faced abuse, neglect, and cultural erasure. The intergenerational trauma from this system continues to affect Indigenous communities today.
2. The Sixties Scoop: During the 1960s to 1980s, thousands of Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in non-Indigenous foster homes or adopted by non-Indigenous families, often losing their cultural identity.
3. The Indian Act: Enacted in 1876, this legislation imposed severe restrictions on Indigenous peoples, including governance, land use, and cultural practices, and continues to have lasting impacts.
4. Land Dispossession: The forced removal of Indigenous peoples from their traditional lands disrupted their way of life and severed their connection to their territories.
5. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG): The ongoing crisis of violence against Indigenous women and girls highlights systemic issues and the need for justice and reconciliation.
6. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC): Established in 2008, the TRC documented the experiences of residential school survivors and issued 94 Calls to Action to address the legacy of colonialism and promote reconciliation.

Colonialism has left lasting and systemic effects on Indigenous communities, many of which persist today. These impacts are evident in areas such as:

1. Social Justice: Indigenous peoples face higher rates of incarceration, discrimination, and inequitable treatment within the justice system. Systemic racism continues to hinder access to fair and equal opportunities.
2. Health Disparities: Indigenous communities experience significantly poorer health outcomes compared to the general population, including higher rates of chronic diseases, limited access to healthcare, and mental health challenges. These disparities are rooted in the disruption of traditional lifestyles and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
3. Cultural Preservation: Colonial policies aimed to suppress Indigenous cultures, languages, and practices, leading to a loss of cultural identity for many. Efforts to revitalize and preserve traditions, languages, and stories are ongoing but require continued support.
4. Economic Inequalities: Many Indigenous communities face higher poverty rates, unemployment, and barriers to education and economic development, further perpetuating cycles of inequity.
5. Land and Environmental Issues: Loss of traditional territories and restricted access to land continue to impact the connection Indigenous peoples have with their environments, challenging their rights and ability to practice land stewardship.

By recognizing these systemic challenges, reconciliation efforts can focus on addressing these inequalities and fostering healing and empowerment within Indigenous communities.

Land acknowledgments recognize the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples and their enduring connection to the land. They honor Indigenous sovereignty, educate others about the history of dispossession, and signal a commitment to reconciliation. While important, they should be paired with meaningful actions that support Indigenous communities. 

Office of the are agreements between Indigenous nations and settler governments that often outline land rights, resource sharing, and mutual responsibilities. Historically, many treaties were not honored, leading to land dispossession and systemic inequalities. In truth and reconciliation, treaties play a vital role in recognizing Indigenous sovereignty, addressing injustices, and fostering collaboration for a more equitable future. Understanding and respecting treaty rights are essential steps toward reconciliation. 

To learn more:

 Treaties with Indigenous Peoples in Canada | The Canadian Encyclopedia 

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner

 There are many resources available to deepen your understanding of truth and reconciliation: 

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation