A2: Towards Truth and Reconciliation
Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation occurred on September 30, 2021. This day was meant to mark “the experiences of First Nation, Inuit and Métis Peoples who went through residential school system, a chain of institutions disguised as schools to assimilate Indigenous children into mainstream Canadian society” (APTN National News, 2021) and to recognize the generational impacts of this system on Indigenous peoples. Recognizing this day came about in fulfillment of Call 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, says in the interview that the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is about atoning for what was done and ensuring it never happens again and that the first step in reconciliation is to learn the truth about Canada.
As stated in the previous chapter, the truth is, the nation of Canada was founded on patriarchal, monarchist, Christian, white European colonialism. While we know that stating this so boldly is no doubt going to offend some people, we must open ourselves up to the truth about Canada’s history. In doing so, we can also recognize that although this fact is Canada’s historical foundation, it no longer needs to be our present and our future. The future is created by us. We have the power to take this history and its ongoing impact and create a more equitable and just future by walking down the road to reconciliation.
Although the term reconciliation may be familiar. Full awareness as to what reconciliation really means for all of us is sometimes lacking. The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair provides a brief overview of what reconciliation means in the following video.
Residential Schools – A Summary
Content Warning: Please note that this section covers difficult topics and Survivor stories related to residential schools that some readers may find distressing. For residential school Survivors and their families, 24-hour support is available through the Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line at 1-800-721-0066. If you’re a student from an Ontario college, please consult the student support services available at your college.
From 1883 to 1996, Christian churches ran more than 130 federally-funded residential schools which were created to assimilate Indigenous children into Canadian society. Over 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children and youth were forcibly taken from their homes and placed in residential schools. Many children died as a result of inadequate conditions and abuse. Those who survived, experienced trauma and its continued effects. The 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report called the residential school system and act of cultural genocide by the Canadian government and Christian churches (Defining Moments in Canada, n.d.).
The history of residential schools in Canada can be traced as far back as the 17th century. Watch the vid