As Indigenous Peoples, we celebrate our culture, our differences, and the successes and achievements of our peoples. Nationwide recognized days offer the chance for acknowledgement and reflection, among settlers and allies, on the commitment to education, understanding, and support of our peoples and communities.
The United Nations defines Indigenous Peoples as “inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live.” Indigenous Peoples often live within areas that have been colonized and settled on by others, who they may differ from. Considering this, the UN definition also states, “despite their cultural differences, indigenous peoples from around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples.”
It is important to recognize that not all people are molded by a definition but by beliefs, traditions, and knowledge.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action remain a vital tool in the forefront of change for Indigenous Peoples in this country. While no calls to action should be overlooked, I would like to highlight a few that may currently be more prominent given recent and ongoing events:
EDUCATION
8. We call upon the federal government to eliminate the discrepancy in federal education funding for First Nations children being educated on reserves and those First Nations children being educated off reserves.
9. We call upon the federal government to prepare and publish annual reports comparing funding for the education of First Nations children on and off reserves, as well as educational and income attainments of Aboriginal peoples in Canada compared with non-Aboriginal people.
MISSING CHILDREN AND BURIAL INFORMATION
76. We call upon the parties engaged in the work of documenting, maintaining, commemorating, and protecting residential school cemeteries to adopt strategies in accordance with the following principles:
i. The Aboriginal community most affected shall lead the development of such strategies,
ii. Information shall be sought from residential school Survivors and other Knowledge Keepers in the development of such strategies,
iii. Aboriginal protocols shall be respected before any potentially invasive technical inspection and investigation of a cemetery site.
COMMEMORATION
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. This would include, but not be limited to:
i. 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,
ii. 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,
iii. 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.
This year, on International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (August 9th), we call on you to reflect on your daily lives and actions that may impact those whose land you are living on and commit to increasing your own awareness and understanding of these impacts. Reflect on what you can do to further the work of reconciliation in this country.
Kanonhsyonne Janice C. Hill (Jan)
Associate Vice-Principal (Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation)
Office of Indigenous Initiatives