Recommendations:

1. Name: Recommendation: That the future board of directors of the NCR undertake a branding exercise, which may include a different name for the NCR.
2. Vision, Mission and Principles
   • That the vision guiding the NCR be two-fold:
     • be an independent multi-generational institution that would monitor, evaluate and report on reconciliation to all governments and Canadian society
     • be a catalyst for innovative thought, dialogue and action
   • That the future Board of Directors define the mission statement and principles that would govern the NCR
   • That First Nation, Inuit and Métis Nation teachings be taken in consideration when developing the principles
3. Mandate: That the mandate of the NCR be to advance reconciliation efforts through the development and implementation of a multi-year National Action Plan for Reconciliation, including the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action. The mandate would be advanced by the following actions:
   • Research
     • reconciliation progress across all governments and sectors of Canadian society
   • Monitor and oversee
     • government programs, policies and laws that touch Indigenous peoples
     • reconciliation progress across all governments and sectors of Canadian society
   • Report
     • to Parliament and the people of Canada on existing, future and generative (decisive, instrumental and enabling) possibilities to advance reconciliation and progress across all governments and sectors of Canadian society
   • Advocate and educate
     • for reconciliation across all governments and sectors of Canadian society
   • Initiate
     • innovative dialogue, thought and action on reconciliation
   • Recommend
     • approaches on how to promote, prioritize and co-ordinate reconciliation efforts
4. Structure: That the structure of the NCR be based on the following elements:
   • Be directed by an experienced, knowledgeable and independent board of directors (see Membership criteria and selection below).
   • Adopt a foundation model (endowment agreement and opportunity to develop other funds).
   • Be established initially through an enabling board.
   • Be based in Ottawa and be a single-site institution
   • Its operations be independent and not managed through a federal secretariat or through shared services with either the Government of Canada or through other organizations.
   • Have a rotation of Elders and/or Wisdom Keepers at the governance level.
   • Be a non-political group with members appointed on the merit of their expertise.
5. Membership That the board of directors of the NCR:
   • Have no less than 9 members and no more than 13 members
   • Over time, in considering applications, the board make best efforts to ensure its members represent a balance between Indigenous and other Canadians, with Indigenous members holding a majority of the positions on the board. The board also select members to ensure balanced representation from First Nation, Métis Nation and Inuit peoples, urban/remote/rural, gender, youth and the various geographic regions of Canada
   • Have 1 member be nominated by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).
   • Have 1 member be nominated by the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK).
   • Have 1 member be nominated by the Métis National Council (MNC).
   • Have 6 members from the public at large, via an application process and/or through board invitation.
   • Vote on individual nominations that come from the nominating organization (the National Indigenous Organizations and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations). If approved by a 2/3 majority vote, the nomination be accepted.
   • Have members appointed for a 5-year staggered term and serve for a maximum of 2 terms.
   • Have members who demonstrate:
     • knowledge and experience working on Indigenous issues or programs
     • knowledge and experience in specific fields of interest related to the NCR’s mandate
6. Funding for the National Council
   • Administrative and operational 5-year contribution agreement
     • That the Government of Canada enter into a 5-year contribution agreement at an annual amount that ponders the administration and operational budget requirements as determined by the NCR Board of Director
     • That at the end of 5 years, the annual administration and operational financial contribution will end and the budgetary requirements of the NCR will be met from the net annual returns (less management fees and inflation) of the National Reconciliation Endowment Fun
     • That the NCR will not be restricted from seeking funding from the Government of Canada and other sources.
   • Creation of a National Reconciliation Endowment Fund
     • That a National Reconciliation Endowment Fund in the amount of 1 billion dollars be established that will be paid over 5 years in equal instalment
     • That the NCR establish and manage the fund with the support of professional expertise provided by financial consultants, investment advisors and portfolio manager
     • That the federal government work closely with the NCR to develop an agreement to establish the fund that provides the NCR with the necessary autonomy to achieve its goals of capital protection, income, growth and inflation protection
     • That the NCR have the ability to create a separate fund that will enable individual donors to contribute and receive a charitable receipt
     • That the NCR secure an income tax exemption through a specific tax agreement with the Government of Canada for revenue generated by endowment.
7. Reporting
   • That a formal reporting mechanism be set out in the legislation, which will ensure that the board of directors submits an annual report to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs on the state of reconciliation in Canada
   • That the Minister table the report in parliament on any of the first 15 days on which the house is sitting after the Minister receives the NCR’s annual report
   • That consistent with Call to Action 56, the Prime Minister formally respond to the NCR’s annual report by issuing an annual “State of Indigenous Peoples” report, which will outline the Government of Canada’s plans for advancing the cause of Reconciliation
8. Legislation
   • That the NCR be set up through enabling legislation
   • That the transitional committee work with Canada’s legislative drafters, in consultation with the Assembly of First Nations, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council, to co-draft the legislation
   • That the legislation be tabled in parliament as soon as possible