As we continue learning how to be better allies for Truth and Reconciliation, we thought it vital to share the official Calls to Action compiled by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada on our site. It is important that all Canadians understand the importance of reconciliation and support the calls to action laid out in the document linked above. According to the Government of Canada, “the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences” (Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 2021).
For more information, a great place to start is The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR). Their website describes themselves as:
“A place of learning and dialogue where the truths of the residential school experience will be honoured and kept safe for future generations. The NCTR was created as part of the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). The TRC was charged to listen to Survivors, their families, communities and others affected by the residential school system and educate Canadians about their experiences. The resulting collection of statements, documents and other materials now forms the sacred heart of the NCTR. The NCTR Archives and Collections is the foundation for ongoing learning and research. Here, Survivors, their families, educators, researchers, and the public can examine the residential school system more deeply with the goal of fostering reconciliation and healing.”
Another important document is the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which is directly referenced in the TRC’s Calls to Action.