Lessons to be learned from Indigenous courage, compassion, and leadership
OTTAWA—On Sept. 30, Canada observes its first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. While it is classified as a statutory federal holiday and in numerous provinces, the hope of many is it is a day of reflection, learning, and reconciliation. Not unlike Remembrance Day, it is an important time to look back so we can […]
Colonialism and its policies hurt our children
Non-Indigenous Canadians are grappling with the truth that this country is built upon genocide. Further, we have proof and horrific evidence that our families, particularly our children were the innocent victims in, what I call, institutions of assimilation and genocide. Our ancestors, grandparents, and parents always prayed that our children and babies would return home, […]
We have a long way to go to put meaning behind the word ‘reconciliation’
Sept. 30 is National Truth and Reconciliation Day. But what does that mean? For some, it means a day off work. For others, it means seeing flags at half-mast. For the Red River Métis, the origin and core of the Métis Nation, it’s fair to say we probably hear the word “reconciliation” from people who […]
As unmarked residential school graves have reinforced, Canada can’t falter in confronting racism and hate
OTTAWA—The recent discovery of more than 1,000 unmarked graves of children who disappeared at so-called Indian Residential Schools has awakened Canadians more forcefully to the century-long cultural genocide visited on Indigenous youth and their families. In all, at least 3,000 Indigenous boys and girls died while in the custody of the church officials who ran […]
‘We have drive’: Indigenous MPs on their election and their future
Another election has come and gone and there was a record number of Indigenous candidates put forward this time, at least 77 people, with the end results showing that the actual count of Indigenous MPs who will sit in the House has also gone up, to 12 from the 10 elected after the 2019 campaign. […]
Advance Indigenous reconciliation with a new fiscal relationship
Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples was a theme for every party’s platform in the recent election. This is progress, and we congratulate every Member of Parliament on their recent electoral success. Talking about policy is good, but implementation is key and for too long, Canada has fallen short on implementation. Means and mechanisms are needed on […]
Truth and reconciliation holiday a chance to untangle unexamined family ties
OTTAWA—The current sense of national shame began on May 28 with the media reports of some 200 unmarked graves discovered on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. The majority of those bodies are believed to be those of Indigenous students attending the facility. Then, in rapid succession, came the reported findings […]
A fresh look at reconciliation through the post-election haze
Just days after the 44th federal election, I’ve spent a great deal of time reflecting upon the place in Canadian society for meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. I do so in part because one wonders about the degree of sincerity among the federal parties given the reality that it hardly figured in the recent campaign. […]
Indigenous public servants pursue class-action lawsuit against feds for harassment, discrimination in workplace
Systemic racism in federal Indigenous departments and agencies has led to human rights and Charter violations, allege two First Nations public servants—one current, one former—pursuing a multi-million-dollar class-action lawsuit against the federal government. A statement of claim—the opening salvo for a possible class-action suit—outlining the experiences of lead plaintiffs Yvette Zentner and Letitia Wells was […]
Arctic Council after 25 years: including Inuit knowledge key to the path forward
Inuit across four circumpolar nations—Alaska (United States), Canada, Chukotka (Russia), and Greenland—consider Sept. 19, 1996, a historic milestone in the advancement of our social, political, and economic issues. On that day, the Ottawa Declaration was signed, formally creating the Arctic Council. It is particularly significant for Inuit in Canada as the former Inuit Circumpolar Council […]
