TRC

TRC stands for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The federal government commissioned the TRC in 2001, and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NTCR) continues this important work.  You can learn more about the TRC on their official website.

The committee’s task was two-fold. First, the TRC was asked to investigate and document effects of residential schools on Indigenous peoples in Canada. To do this, the TRC visited Indigenous communities and encouraged survivors and their families to explain the generational trauma that they have experienced because of the residential schools. You can read their stories in The Survivors Speak: A Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Second, the TRC was asked to make recommendations to facilitate reconciliation. In 2015, the TRC released a summary of its findings along with 94 “calls to action”.  The calls to action are organized into six main categories: child welfare, education, language and culture, health, justice, and reconciliation. Each category contains specific “calls to action” that specify what  can be done to improve outcomes. While most calls are directed at different levels of government, some speak directly to the corporate sector, faith-based organizations, and individual citizens.

The federal government is now responsible to facilitate the implementation of these calls. The government site Delivering on Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action discusses plans for implementation. The CBC’s Beyond 94 site details the completion status of each call to action. Recently the Yellowhead Institute has published a scathing accountability report.

To read more about Reconciliation in Canada, visit The Canadian Encyclopedia. You can also read about the 5 year anniversary of the TRC here.

It is important to understand that we are all responsible for reconciliation. Read about some personal acts of reconciliation that might inspire you to participate actively in this important process.

UNDRIP

UNDRIP stands for the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This declaration was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 after 25 years of deliberation.  Although Canada was one of four UN member nations who initially refused to sign the declaration, the government reversed its initial decision and signed in 2010. You can read more about UNDRIP’s drafting and acceptance on the United Nations website and also on the UBC Indigenous Foundations site.

A full copy of the declaration is available as a PDF in several languages, including English and in French.