Aboriginal Reconciliation in Canada

According to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), reconciliation is defined as “. . . establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country. In order for that to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, an acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour”(Joseph). Amending the deteriorated relationships between citizens, the government and aboriginal peoples is one important and necessary step toward a better harmonized and cooperative society. As more attention is drawn to the issues of social inequalities and matters such as racism, human rights and aboriginal land and title rights, reconciliation is a major societal goal that should be recognized by every Canadian citizen. There is little doubt that the First Nations people have been mistreated since European colonial times, and the role of residential schools and the subsequent systemic racism that has been embedded in Canadian culture has had adverse effects on the health and well-being of Indigenous people in Canada. In an effort to move forward with the process of reconciliation, the Federal government has developed a comprehensive plan and framework which hopes to advance the goal of reconciliation and revitalise the relationship that the government and Canadian citizens have with Indigenous people, based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.

When it comes to the process of reconciliation, the first course of action should be acknowledging the wrongdoings of the past and then recognizing the actions that need to be taken in order to amend the relationship. The Truth and Reconciliation Committee was established as a result of the The Indian Residential School system and the subsequent damage that it caused to generations of indigenous peoples in Canada. With reference to the narrative of these Residential Schools, the committee “ provided those directly or indirectly affected with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences.” (Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada) The final report was presented by the Federal Government in collaboration with the committee’s members to “facilitate reconciliation among former students, their families, their communities and all Canadians” (Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada). The TRC, while organising events all around Canada, has interviewed many witnesses and held investigations to reveal the truth about the tragedies of Canada’s Residential Schools. In 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accepted the Final Report on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and stated, “The Government of Canada ‘sincerely apologizes and asks forgiveness of the Aboriginal people of this country for failing them so profoundly.’” (Statement by Prime Minister on release of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission) In response to the same report, Trudeau also stated that he hoped “this report and its findings will help heal some of the pain caused by the Indian residential school system and begin to restore the trust lost so long ago.” (Statement by Prime Minister on release of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission) The committee, in its final report, calls on “governments, educational and religious institutions, civil society groups and all Canadians to take action on the 94 Calls to Action it identified.” (Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Delivering on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action) The Canadian government is developing programs as well as taking legislative initiatives in response to the TRC’s 94 calls to action. Examples of this is Call 13 which  “[calls] upon the federal government to acknowledge that Aboriginal rights include Aboriginal language rights” (Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Language and culture). In response, Bill C-91 was passed, which is an act that promises to respect the Indigenious Languages. This bill aims to “reclaim, revitalize, strengthen and maintain Indigenous languages in Canada and aligns with the commitment to renew the relationship with Indigenous Peoples” (Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Language and culture)

The Recognition of the rights and privileges of the aboriginal people in Canada in both legislative and real-life practices is also a necessary part of reconciliation. According to the federal government “………Canada has committed to the review of its laws, policies and operational practices to ensure the constitutional commitments made to Indigenous people are respected” (National engagement on the recognition of Indigenous rights). Prime Minister Trudeau announced in February of 2018 the launch of a national engagement aimed at developing a network that can form a framework to ensure the constitutional commitments made to indgenous people are respected. This outline ensures indigenous rights at both the provincial and federal levels by “[creating] new tools and mechanisms for supporting self-determination through both law and policy, support(ing) distinctions-based approaches for First Nations, Inuit and Métis, [advancing] the implementation of treaty and agreements, [supporting] new approaches to the evolution of treaties and agreements, and [keeping] the Government of Canada accountable” (Recognition and Implementation of Indigenous Rights Framework).

The federal government of Canada brought forward ten principles that outline its relationship with indigenous people. In summary, the Government of Canada recognizes that: (1)“All relations with Indigenous peoples need to be based on the recognition and implementation of their right …”; (2) “Reconciliation is a fundamental purpose of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982”; (3) “The honour of the Crown guides the conduct of the Crown in all of its dealings with Indigenous peoples”; (4) “Indigenous self-government is part of Canada’s evolving system of cooperative federalism and distinct orders of government”; (5) “Treaties, agreements, and other constructive arrangements between Indigenous peoples and the Crown have been and are intended to be acts of reconciliation based on mutual recognition and respect”; (6) “Meaningful engagement with Indigenous peoples aims to secure their free, prior, and informed consent …”; (7) “Respecting and implementing rights is essential and that any infringement of section 35 rights must by law meet a high threshold of justification…”; (8) “Reconciliation and self-government require a renewed fiscal relationship, developed in collaboration with Indigenous nations …”; (9) “Reconciliation is an ongoing process that occurs in the context of evolving Indigenous-Crown relationships”; (10) “A distinctions-based approach is needed to ensure that the unique rights, interests and circumstances of the First Nations, … are implemented” (Principles respecting the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples).

Although the Federal Government of Canada and its Truth and Reconciliation Committee have made admirable steps towards amending some of its past wrongdoings, more needs to be done to accomplish the goals outlined in its findings.  While the federal government is responsible for leading the process of reconciliation, we, as Canadian citizens, should aim to acknowledge our past and work together to better improve our nation and our relationship with the indigenous peoples of this land. Only then can reconciliation with First Nations really begin to take shape.

Chenhe Ma

Works Cited

1. Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. “Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.” Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 19 Feb. 2019, www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1450124405592/1529106060525.
2. Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. “Language and Culture.” Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 5 Sept. 2019, www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524495846286/1557513199083.
3. Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. “Delivering on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.” Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 5 Sept. 2019, www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524494530110/1557511412801.
4. “National Engagement on the Recognition of Indigenous Rights.” Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 10 Sept. 2018, rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1512679042828/1539886236551.
5. “Recognition and Implementation of Indigenous Rights Framework.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Mar. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognition_and_Implementation_of_Indigenous_Rights_Framework.
6. “Statement by Prime Minister on Release of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.” Prime Minister of Canada, 15 Dec. 2015, pm.gc.ca/en/news/statements/2015/12/15/statement-prime-minister-release-final-report-truth-and-reconciliation.
7. Government of Canada, Department of Justice. “Principles Respecting the Government of Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples.” Government of Canada, Department of Justice, Electronic Communications, 14 Feb. 2018, www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/principles-principes.html.
8. Joseph, Bob. “What Reconciliation Is and What It Is Not.” Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., www.ictinc.ca/blog/what-reconciliation-is-and-what-it-is-not.