260 years of promises made and promises broken to Canada’s First Peoples
What progress has been made since the TRC Calls to Action were released in June 2015?
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As of October 1, 2024 36% of the 94 TRC Calls to Action are either NOT STARTED or STALLED? Why?
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Indigenous Watchdog, a federally registered non-profit, is committed to transforming the reconciliation dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians into ACTION.
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Thousands of embedded links in 30 Themes and hundreds of sub-themes
By curating details from multiple sources – government stakeholders as well as local and national media, research reports, studies, white papers, statistics, budgets – Indigenous Watchdog will deliver relevant, current information to raise awareness on Indigenous issues through an Indigenous lens.
Where are we today?
Start with clicking “Learn More” below to go directly to the Calls to Action landing page: a single page view to the status of all 94 Calls to Action with links to dive deeper into any Indigenous issue you wish to explore.
Be informed. Speak up. Take action. Only then will reconciliation happen.
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Featured Updates
Environment
Raising the health and clean energy bar on First Nations
Wáhiakatste Diome-Deer (left) with a Peguis First Nation community member where geothermal heat pump installations and retrofits are ongoing. Photo submitted Canada’s National Observer: Nora……
October 29, 2024
Environment
B.C. First Nation launches court challenge over LNG plant effect on salmon
A photo of the Nass River, a highway for many Gitanyow salmon. Gitanyow leadership are concerned that those salmon are at risk because of a……
October 29, 2024
Missing Children and Burial Information (71-76)
Manitoba historian concerned residential school denialism will rise after Biden’s apology in U.S.
University of Manitoba professor Sean Carleton says goal of denialism is to protect the colonial status quo Alessia Passafiume · The Canadian Press · Posted: Oct 27, 2024 12:34……
October 28, 2024
Call to Action # 62
New class lets N.S. students explore environmental science through a Mi’kmaw lens
Netukulimk 12 to be offered at 13 schools in second phase of pilot This video from UINR is designed to be used as course material……
October 28, 2024
Environment
Parks Canada unveils new national Indigenous Stewardship Policy
Several co-governance agreements already exist in the North Mountains surrounding Fairy Meadows in Nahanni National Park Reserve in the N.W.T. in the summer of 2022.……
October 28, 2024
Drinking Water Advisories
Alberta chiefs seek clarity on Canada’s view of water rights following class action defence
Case adds to concerns federal clean water bill is ‘dump and run legislation,’ First Nations leaders say Canada’s defence arguments in a class action lawsuit……
October 28, 2024
Environment
Syilx Okanagan Nation says salmon run at risk after neighbouring nation pulls funds
Salmon returning in record numbers, but conflict between 2 Indigenous governments threatens future efforts The eggs of female sockeye salmon are harvested and sent to……
October 28, 2024
Treaties and Land Claims
Canada formally apologizes to five Anishinaabeg First Nations
From: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada NationTalk: (Manitoulin Island, ON) — Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation, M’Chigeeng First……
October 28, 2024
Call to Action # 92
Times of ‘Wild West’ in mining are over: Agnico Eagle
People remain suspicious of resource extraction even though more regulations are in place, says company director Remains of an old nickel mine are still visible……
October 28, 2024
Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation
Canadian Indigenous leaders hope Biden’s residential schools apology leads to meaningful change
America needs its own truth and reconciliation commission: former AFN chief Maura Forrest · The Canadian Press Joe Biden speaks at the Gila Crossing Community School in……
October 26, 2024
Why is Indigenous “Reconciliation” necessary?
King George III issued the Royal Proclamation in 1763 – 260 years ago. The Proclamation “explicitly stated that Aboriginal title has existed and continues to exist, and that all land would be considered Aboriginal land until ceded by treaty”1. In 1764, the Treaty of Niagara, attended by over 2000 Indigenous leaders ratified the Proclamation and established a new alliance between the British and Indigenous people who used their traditional way of representing treaties – the wampum belt.
The belt consists of two rows of purple wampum beads on a white background. Three rows of white beads symbolizing peace, friendship, and respect separate the two purple rows. The two purple rows symbolize two paths or two vessels travelling down the same river. One row symbolizes the Haudenosaunee people with their law and customs, while the other row symbolizes European laws and customs. As nations move together side-by-side on the River of Life, they are to avoid overlapping or interfering with one another.
It was understood by the Haudenosaunee that the Two Row agreement would last forever, that is, “as long as the grass is green, as long as the water flows downhill, and as long as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.2”
Breaking the treaty didn’t take long. The colonial government determined that in order to secure the land for future settlement and development, the Indigenous population needed to be moved onto reserves where they could be more easily controlled, marginalized and kept out of the way. The Indian Act of 18764 institutionalized Canada’s racist policies by denying to Indigenous people the basic rights that were available to every other Canadian like:
- the right to vote: granted in 1960
- the right to practice their religion: denied until 1940
- the right to speak their own languages: late 1880s to early 1960s
- permission from Indian agent to leave reserve: 1885 to 1951
- the right to wear traditional regalia: 1906-1951
- the right to organize political organizations: 1927-1951
- the right to hire a lawyer: 1927-1951
Canada’s Constitution Act, 1982 Section 35 recognizes and affirms Aboriginal title. The biggest challenge facing Indigenous peoples is the continuous refusal of the federal, provincial and territory governments to recognize and acknowledge this fact.
Notes:
- indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca
- “A short introduction to the Two Row Wampum”. Briar Patch.Tom Keefer. March 10, 2014
- Two Row Wampum Belt – Gä•sweñta’ image above courtesy of Onondaga Nation, N.Y.
- “21 Things You May Not Know About The Indian Act”. Bob Joseph. Indigenous Relations Press. 2018
About Indigenous Watchdog
Indigenus Watchdog is a federally registered non-profit created to monitor and report on critical Indigenous issues including the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. Our mission is to raise awareness and educate all Canadians on how reconciliation is advancing – or not.
And if not – why?
Perspectives Posts
This space links to the “Perspectives” post for the latest “Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action Status Updates” on the Indigenous Watchdog site. “Perspectives” contains all the Indigenous Watchdog commentary on selected Indigenous issues current at the time of posting
See all blog postsTRC Calls To Action Status: October 1, 2024
Continue readingConrad Black continues to broadcast his denial of the truth about the “so-called” Indian residential schools
On October 26, 2024, the National Post published an article by Conrad Black, “A disgraceful attack on free speech”. What was disgraceful? Leah Gazan, a Manitoba New Democratic MP introduced a private member’s bill “to make it a crime to question, dispute, minimize or justify the activities of the so-called Indian residential schools which she
Continue reading