An Article written by the Chestermere Community Wellness Services Team
Truth and Reconciliation in Canada focuses on confronting the historical and ongoing injustices experienced by Indigenous peoples, especially through the lens of the Indian Residential School system. These schools, which operated from the 19th century until the late 20th century, sought to assimilate Indigenous children, resulting in widespread abuse and significant cultural destruction. This systemic attempt to erase Indigenous identities caused profound and lasting damage to Indigenous communities, cultures, and languages, contributing to a legacy of trauma that continues to affect generations.
In 2008, in response to growing calls for justice and healing, the Canadian government established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The TRC was tasked to collect and document the experiences of survivors and the enduring effects of these schools. The TRC’s final report, released in 2015, presented 94 Calls to Action, which address various sectors, including child welfare, education, language and culture, health and justice. These Calls to Action are a blueprint for systemic change, urging governments, institutions and all Canadians to address these issues and work collaboratively towards reconciling with Indigenous peoples and communities.
One significant step toward reconciliation has been the establishment of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, a day dedicated to honouring the survivors of residential schools, their families, and their communities. This day encourages reflection on Canada’s colonial history and its lasting impacts on Indigenous peoples, as well as a commitment to learning and understanding the truth. Additionally, there have been efforts to integrate Indigenous perspectives into education, ensuring that future generations are better informed about the true history of Canada and the contributions and experiences of Indigenous peoples.
However, meaningful reconciliation goes beyond symbolic gestures and requires ongoing commitment to justice, equity, and respect for Indigenous rights. It involves not only acknowledging past wrongs but also actively addressing the current disparities faced by Indigenous communities, such as those related to health, education, economic opportunities, and social services. Building a future based on mutual respect and shared understanding requires sustained efforts involving the recognition of past harms, addressing ongoing challenges, and building a future based on respect and shared understanding.
Resource for Viewing
https://nctr.ca/about/history-of-the-trc/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-of-canada/
Jordan’s Principle
Jordan’s Principle is a child-first policy in Canada that ensures First Nations children have equitable access to government services, regardless of jurisdictional disputes. It was named after Jordan River Anderson, a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation, who passed away in a hospital due to government disputes over who should pay for his home care. The principle mandates that when such disputes arise, the child’s needs must be met immediately, with the jurisdictional issues resolved later.
Originally, Jordan’s Principle was narrowly applied, but in 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal expanded it to cover all First Nations children across Canada, regardless of their health status or where they live. This expansion aimed to provide equal access to services such as healthcare, education, and social support for all First Nations children. While implementation challenges remain, Jordan’s Principle represents an important step towards ensuring fairness and eliminating service gaps for First Nations children in Canada.
Learn more by visiting: https://abfnhc.com/about-jordans-principle/
