Call to Action # 79

We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Survivors, Aboriginal organizations, and the arts community, to develop a reconciliation framework for Canadian heritage and commemoration. It would include, but not be limited to: 

  1. Amending the Historic Sites and Monuments Act to include First Nations, Inuit, and Métis representation on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and its Secretariat. 
  2. Revising the policies, criteria, and practices of the National Program of Historical Commemoration to integrate Indigenous history, heritage values, and memory practices into Canada’s national heritage and history.
  3. Developing and implementing a national heritage plan and strategy for commemorating residential school sites, the history and legacy of residential schools, and the contributions of Aboriginal peoples to Canada’s history.

Why “In Progress?”

The Government of Canada has initiated a  number of steps that directly address this Call to Action:

  1. Bill C-23 dedicated to the designation and protection of federally owned historic places. This will be Canada’s first legislation of this kind and will result in a stronger voice for Indigenous peoples in determining the people, places and events considered to be of national historic significance and national historic interest in Canada.
  2. Federal government will consult with Indigenous groups to revise the National Program of Historical Commemoration and
  3. No specific mention of developing and implementing national heritage plan and strategy aside from $23.9M over 5 years to fund specific “Indigenous views, history and heritage” actions in national parks, marine conversation areas and historic sites.

Current Status

In Progress

Call to Action
last updated

June 10, 2024


Latest Updates


Actions and Commitments


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Historic Sites and Monuments. Act

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Historic Sites

Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada through a combination of existing sites and new locations have integrated Indigenous history, heritage and culture throughout Canada.

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Commemorating History of Residential Schools

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Reconciliation Initiatives

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Parks Canada and Provincial Actions

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Background Content


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History of National Parks

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The National Healing Forest Initiative

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AFN Recommendations

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