3.2: Where does education begin?
Abraham Francis
The Indigenous People of Canada have had a challenging relationship with both the Canadian Provincial and Federal governments, stemming from a history marked by physical, biological, and cultural genocide, as well as the dispossession of lands and intergenerational trauma. Three critical pieces of literature, shared below, contribute to helping define this historic pain body and directions forward to address the harm left behind and support Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.
The first piece that recounts the painful narrative of residential schools is documented in the “Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future,” which outlines 94 calls to action spanning child welfare, health, justice, education, language, culture, reconciliation, museums, archives, youth, media, sports, research, newcomers, commemoration, missing children, burial information, and business (TRC, 2015). This report carefully intertwines research and personal stories, vividly portraying history and survivors’ experiences.
The second piece recounts the distressing history of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA individuals, who have been subjected to state-condoned abuses infringing on human and Indigenous rights, is illuminated in “Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.” This report issues 231 Calls for Justice addressing the Government, Industry, Institutions, Services, Partnerships, and all Canadians (MMIW, 2019). Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA individuals constitute one of the most vulnerable segments of Indigenous communities and play a crucial role in Indigenous societies. It is imperative to consider these histories and stories when the actions of Canadian federal or provincial governments may impact Indigenous rights, as well-intentioned efforts have the potential to cause significant harm to Indigenous Communities.
The third piece is to educate oneself on Indigenous Communities’ right to sovereignty and self-governance, a principle upheld by international laws, notably enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP). Adopted during the United Nations’ 107th plenary meeting in 2007, the UNDRIP comprises 46 Articles that affirm Indigenous rights on a global scale (Assembly, 2007). The UNDRIP was endorsed by the Government of Canada in 2016 and, on June 21, 2021, received royal assent as an act and immediately came into force with a two-year action plan to meet the objectives in collaboration with Indigenous Communities (D. of J. Canada, 2021).
Resources
Assembly, U. G. (2007). United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples. UN Wash, 12, 1-18.
Canada, D. of J. (2021, June 22). Legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples becomes law [News releases].
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (Canada). (2019). Reclaiming power and place: The final report of the national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015). Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future. Summary. Volume One. James Lorimer Limited, Publishers.
