Read the one line descriptions below and feel the pulse of reconciliation – getting a little stronger now that the federal government has passed Bill C – 29 “The National Centre for Reconciliation Act“. Seven years after the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Final Report in June 2015, the federal government has finally tabled legislation to:
- establish the council as an independent, national, oversight body with membership jointly appointed by the Government of Canada and national Aboriginal organizations, and consisting of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members. Its mandate would include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Monitor, evaluate, and report annually to Parliament and the people of Canada on the Government of Canada’s post-apology progress on reconciliation to ensure that government accountability for reconciling the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the Crown is maintained in the coming years.
- Monitor, evaluate, and report to Parliament and the people of Canada on reconciliation progress across all levels and sectors of Canadian society, including the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.
- Develop and implement a multi-year National Action Plan for Reconciliation, which includes research and policy development, public education programs, and resources.
- Promote public dialogue, public/private partnerships, and public initiatives for reconciliation.
Read the 40 “Current Problems” across 13 “Themes” in multiple jurisdictions across Canada including court cases that are national in scope and ask yourself: why are 34% of the 94 Calls to Action still either “Stalled” or “Not Started”
That’s not exactly a strong testament to how reconciliation is advancing across the country.
Call to Action Status as of July 5, 2022
| Not Started | Stalled | In Progress | Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 20 | 51 | 11 |
| 12.8% | 21.3% | 54.3% | 11.7% |
Status Change
The following Call to Action has changed its status since the last update on May 13, 2022
| C2A | Description | Status Change | Why has the status changed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | Provide multi-year funding to sustain National Council for Reconciliation (NCR) | From NOT STARTED to IN PROGRESS | Bill C-29, “National Council for Reconciliation Act” passed June 22 |
| 55 | Provide Annual reports on progress towards reconciliation | From NOT STARTED to IN PROGRESS | Bill C-29, “National Council for Reconciliation Act” passed June 22 |
| 56 | PM to deliver a State of Aboriginal People’s report | From NOT STARTED to IN PROGRESS | Bill C-29, “National Council for Reconciliation Act” passed June 22 |
The following represents a year-to-date statistical snapshot of stakeholder actions within various “Themes” that are either advancing reconciliation or creating problems:
| Section | 2020 | 2021 | Feb. 14, 2022 | May 13, 2022 | July 4, 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Reality | 26 | 47 | 7 | 12 | 9 |
| Current Problems | 189 | 213 | 15 | 44 | 40 |
| Legacy C2As | 96 | 159 | 20 | 27 | 19 |
| Reconciliation C2As | 55 | 88 | 8 | 20 | 21 |
| Government Commitments to Tr & Rec. | 8 | 6 | |||
| Total | 366 | 507 | 50 | 111 | 95 |
| Other Issues | – | – | – | 8 | 11 |
| Indigenous Success Stories | 17 | 13 |
Notes:
- Current Reality only includes the specific 94 Calls to Action
- Current Problems includes all “Calls to Action” plus “Other Issues” and “Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation” sections
- “Other Issues” represents Actions and Commitments by stakeholders in seven other “Theme” areas: Suicide Prevention, Drinking Water Advisories, Housing, Food Insecurity, Environment, Urban Commitments to Reconciliation and Treaties and Land Claims
What follows is a snapshot of what has been updated on the Indigenous Watchdog website since the last Status Update posted on May 13, 2022. See the relevant Themes for full details.
Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation
| Federal | June 24 | Bill S-10 “Anishinabek Governance Agreement Act” receives Royal Assent |
| June 28 | Inuit-Crown Partnership meeting discusses shared priorities | |
| Québec | May 27 | Québec cabinet minister commits to protect Indigenous languages after passage of Bill 96 “An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec“ |
| June 17 | “2022-2027 Government Action Plan for the Social and Cultural Wellness of the First Nations and the Inuit” released with 52 measures | |
| New Brunswick | June 21 | New Brunswick govt. launches new website to track progress on TRC Calls to Action |
| July 3 | New Brunswick holds joint meeting with Cabinet and Mi’kmaw Chiefs |
Current Problems with Government Commitments
| Alberta | June 5 | Métis Nation of Alberta wins court case against Alberta govt. negotiating scrip with illegitimate Métis groups |
| Québec | June 9 | CAQ record with Indigenous people’s in Québec is historically disappointing |
| BC | June 30 | Tŝilhqot’in Nation condemns BC Govt. destructive moose harvest allocation in Chilcotin |
| Québec | June 30 | Cree Nation Government expresses its disappointment in Quebec’s lack of meaningful collaboration regarding the moose population situation in Zone 17 |
Current Problems across all Calls to Action
| C2A Theme | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Child Welfare | May 19 | Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench rules that Manitoba govt. discriminates against First Nations children in child welfare system |
| May 26 | Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs challenges Bill C-92 jurisdiction and provincial amendments to Child and Family Services Act | |
| June 14 | Anishinabek response to UN Committee on the Rights of the Child report on welfare of Indigenous children | |
| June 21 | Off-reserve Indigenous children Class Action lawsuit against federal government | |
| Education | June 20 | National poll conducted by Environics Research finds that reconciliation is not working |
| Language and Culture | May 13 | First Nations in Québec call Bill 96 “An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec” cultural genocide |
| May 31 | Use of Inuktuk in government services in Nunavut declines | |
| Health | May 15 | Indigenous Health organizations in Ontario find racism and discrimination in healthcare (Systemic Racism) |
| May 27 | Manitoba First Nations’s leaders declare State of Emergency in health services based on systemic discrimination found in northern Manitoba (Systemic Racism) | |
| June 27 | Forced sterilization and global attacks on reproductive rights of Indigenous women (Systemic Racism) | |
| Justice | May 20 | Coroner’s inquest recommendations into death of Chantal Moore in NB (Systemic Racism in Policing) |
| June 1 | Native Women’s Association of Canada Annual Report on MMIWG National Action Plan (Federal and Provincial Justice Inquiries) | |
| June 3 | First Nations Leadership Council response to MMIWG Action Plan (Fed. & Prov. Justice Inquiries) | |
| June 3 | Southern Chief’s Organization (MB) response to Auditor-General report on Correctional Services Canada failure to eliminate systemic barriers | |
| June 22 | Complaints on Indian Day schools Claims process. (Fed. & Prov. Justice Inquiries) | |
| June 23 | Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Relations criticizes government response to MMIWG (Fed. & Prov. Justice Inquiries) | |
| June 23 | Ontario Civilian Police Commission alleges misconduct by Thunder Bay Police Chief (Background Content) | |
| June 24 | Six First Nations Chiefs call for an end to New Brunswick commission on systemic racism (Systemic Racism in Policing) | |
| June 27 | Standing Committee on Status of Women studying links between resource extraction and violence against Indigenous women | |
| June 27 | Piecemeal government actions has worsened discrimination in the Indian Act: Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples | |
| June 29 | Thunder Bay Police Chief Sylvie Hout suspended (Background Content) | |
| Church Apologies | May 18 | AFN calls on Queen as head of Anglican Church to apologize for churches role in operating residential schools |
| May 19 | Métis National Council calls for “Royal” apology | |
| Missing Children and Burial Information | June 8 | AFN continues to call for independent criminal investigation into residential schools as well as for the International Criminal Court to become involved |
| June 16 | 92-year-old Catholic priest arrested for sex abuse at Fort Alexander residential school | |
| Business & Reconciliation | May 26 | Financial Consumer Agency of Canada finds that Big Banks discriminate against minority groups |
| Drinking Water Advisories | June 19 | Neskantanga First Nation has spent 27 years under a Boil Water Advisory |
| Housing | June 13 | Federal Housing Advocate will receive two urgent human rights claims from women and Indigenous groups |
| June 15 | Federal government will miss Indigenous Housing forecast targets | |
| June 27 | AFN presses for urgent action at F/P/T Minister of Housing meeting | |
| Environment | May 16 | Nunavut Impact Review Board rejects Baffinland’s Phase 2 proposal to expand Mary River Mine |
| June 9 | Great Bear Rainforest Review: How to preserve and protect while supporting sustainable forestry | |
| Treaties and Land Claims | Feb. 5 | Government of Alberta cuts off Métis consultation process |
| June 23 | Robinson-Huron Superior treaties annuity claims case against the Government of Ontario goes to Supreme Court | |
| June 28 | “They beat us into submission”: West Moberly’s decade long fight against the Site C Dam is over | |
| June 13 | Matawa Chiefs Council working to solidify approach to Ring of Fire Regional Environment Assessment |
Current Reality Across all Calls to Action
| C2A Theme | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| United Nations Declaration | June 6 | Tahltan FN and BC government enter first consent-based-decision-making agreement under UNDRIP |
| National Council for Reconciliation | June 22 | Bill C-29 “National Council for Reconciliation Act” introduced |
| Church Apologies | May 1 | Archbishop of Canterbury apologizes to residential school survivors |
| June 24 | Pope Francis itinerary for visit to Canada finalized | |
| Missing Children & Burial Information | June 8 | Special Interlocutor appointed to coordinate government response to unmarked graves |
| Commemoration | June 7 | Three Indigenous members – First Nation, Métis and Inuit – appointed to Historic Sites and Monument Board |
| Business and Reconciliation | June 6 | National Indigenous Economic Strategy released |
| Environment | June 7 | NWT releases “Statement on Environmental Values” to address climate change |
| Drinking Water Advisories | May 28 | Updated Infographic and Table |
Legacy Calls to Action
| Call To Action | Date | Description of Action or Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Child Welfare | ||
| C2A # 1 | June 9 | New Brunswick introduces revisions to child welfare legislation |
| Education | ||
| C2A # 65 | June 16 | MOU between the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APCFNC) and Atlantic Canada’s post secondary institutions |
| June 30 | Lakehead University launches Anishinaabe Kendaasiwin Institute | |
| Language and Culture | ||
| C2A # 17 | May 18 | Manitoba Bill 236 introduces enhancements to Vital Statistics Act to permit Indigenous names |
| May 26 | BC Bill M209 proposes Indigenous characters, symbols on BC IDs | |
| Health | ||
| C2A # 18 | May 13 | Renewal of BC Vancouver Island Accord between First Nations Health Authority, Island Health and Vancouver Island Regional Caucus |
| June 24 | Manitoba Agreement-in-Principle with Southern Chiefs Organization to create First Nation Health Authority | |
| C2A # 21 | May 16 | White Buffalo Treatment Centre celebrates grand opening of permanent facility |
| June 15 | Wauzhushk Onigah Nation celebrates grand opening of new Migisi treatment facility | |
| C2A # 23 | June 6 | Indigenous Services Canada and Manitoba govt. hiring Indigenous emergency medical responders |
| Justice | ||
| C2A # 29 | June 22 | Anishinabek Nation and FSIN call for action on the Indian Day School Class Action Settlement |
| June 27 | First Nations Leadership in Ontario Calls on Government of Canada to Fix Administration of the Day Schools Settlement | |
| C2A # 30 | May 31 | 2022 Auditor-General Report # 4 finds systemic barriers still exist at Correctional Services Canada |
| C2A # 31 | May 26 | Newfoundland and Labrador govt. invest in Restorative Justice initiative |
| C2A # 40 | June 29 | Gwich’in Wellness Camp renovation receives $2.3M funding |
| C2A # 41 | June 3 | Native Women’s Association of Canada Annual Report Card on Federal government’s MMIWG National Action Plan |
| June 3 | Premiers Council to guide Alberta’s response to MMIWG Final Report | |
| June 13 | Federal Govt. releases MMIWG National Action Plan Progress Report | |
| June 27 | Indian Act continues discrimination against Indigenous women |
Reconciliation Calls to Action
| Call to Action | Date | Action or Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| UNDRIP | ||
| C2A # 44 | June 21 | First annual update on UNDRIP National Action Plan |
| Nat. Council for Reconciliation | ||
| C2A # 54 | June 22 | Bill C-29 “National Council for Reconciliation Act” introduced |
| C2A # 55 | June 22 | Bill C-29 “National Council for Reconciliation Act” introduced |
| C2A # 56 | June 22 | Bill C-29 “National Council for Reconciliation Act” introduced |
| Church Apologies | ||
| C2A # 58 | June 23 | Pope’s itinerary for trip to Canada announced by Vatican |
| Youth Programs | ||
| C2A # 66 | June 14 | “From Discrimination to Meaningful Work: A Peek into the State of Urban Indigenous Youth Employment“ |
| Missing Children | ||
| C2A # 75 | May 17 | Update on federal support for community initiatives to respond to and heal from impacts of residential schools |
| May 17 | Update to “Fed. Govt. Disbursements”: Total Disbursements | |
| May 18 | Update to “Fed. Govt. Disbursements”: Stólō Tribal Council | |
| June 6 | Update on Sagkeen First Nation | |
| June 8 | Fed. Govt. update on National Advisory Committee | |
| June 15 | Manitoba Govt. commits $2.5M to find and memorialize missing children | |
| June 16 | Update to Fort Alexander IRS: 92-yr-old priest arrested for sexual abuse | |
| C2A # 76 | June 8 | Kimberly Murray appointed Special Interlocutor to coordinate government response to unmarked graves |
| Commemoration | ||
| C2A # 79 | June 7 | Indigenous members – First Nations, Métis and Inuit – appointed to Historic Sites and Monuments Board |
| June 7 | Update “Timelines to Amend Historical Sites and Monuments Board” | |
| C2A # 79 | May 25 | Government of Canada commemorates the National Historic Significance of ancient village of Mehtawtik (Meductic) |
| C2A # 82 | June 23 | Alberta govt. “Request for Expression of Interest for Memorial” issued |
| Sports & Reconcil. | ||
| C2A # 91 | June 14 | Canada Olympic Committee releases Hosting concept recommendations |
| Business & Reconcil. | ||
| C2A # 92 | June 6 | “National Indigenous Economic Strategy 2022: Pathways to Socioeconomic Parity for Indigenous Peoples” released |
| June 23 | Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Agreement signed | |
Other Issues
| Other Issue | Date | Action or Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Suicide Prevention | June 1 | Newfoundland and Labrador release “Our Path to Resilience” a 5-year action plan to reduce suicide |
| June 10 | Alberta govt. ‘Youth Suicide Prevention Plan” invests $3M over 2 years to youth focused programs | |
| Environment | June 22 | New Marine Protected Area: Gitdisdzu Lugyeks (Kitasu Bay): (Indigenous Circle of Experts) |
| June 23 | First Nations order Fairy Creek protestors to leave their territory (Environmental Impacts) | |
| June 29 | RCMP engaged by First Nations to facilitate removal of protestors (Environmental Impacts) | |
| Treaties and Land Claims | June 3 | Siksika F.N settles $1.5B Land Claim (Land Claims) |
| June 13 | Matawa Chief’s Council work towards solidifying approach to Ring of Fire Regional Environmental Assessment (Aboriginal Rights and Title) | |
| June 29 | West Moberly loses fight against Site C dam in B.C. (Aboriginal Rights and Title) | |
| June 30 | Lheidli T’Enneh declare they are tights and title holders for lands in Chilcotin region (Aboriginal Rights and Title) | |
| Food Insecurity | June 30 | Tŝilhqot’in Nation condemns BC Govt destruction of moose harvest allocation in Chilcotin |
| June 30 | Cree Nation Government expresses its disappointment in Quebec’s lack of meaningful collaboration regarding the moose population situation in Zone 17 |
Indigenous Success Stories
| Theme | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Government Commitments | May 27 | Murray Sinclair honoured with Order of Canada at Rideau Hall ceremony |
| June 8 | Canada Post issues Indigenous leaders stamps; Harry Daniels (Métis), Jose Kusugak (Inuit) and Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier (First Nation) | |
| June 21 | Angela Davidson “Rainbow Eyes” appointed deputy leader of the Green Party of Canada | |
| June 24 | Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement receives Royal assent | |
| Child Welfare | May 30 | First Nations leaders launch National Assembly of Remote Communities |
| June 16 | Tobique First Nation ratifies its own Child and Family Well-Being Act | |
| Education | May 16 | Julie Francis appointed Head of L’Nu Health Chair at Cape Breton University |
| June 6 | Dr. Kathleen E. Absolon, MSW, PhD (Minogiizhigokwe) publishes “Kaanossiwan: How to Come to Know Indigenous re-Search Methodologies” | |
| June 7 | Dr. Vanessa Watts awarded President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning | |
| Media & Rec. | May 30 | First Nations University Indigenous Communications Arts journalism program begins summer institute |
| Business | May 17 | AFOA and Harvard University partnership for Executive Education Program Certificate |
| Environment | May 16 | Mary River mine expansion deflected |
| Treaties and Land Claims | May 24 | Beaver House First Nation recognized after 116 years |