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 April 1, 2024 37% of the 94 TRC Calls to Action are either NOT STARTED or STALLED? Why?
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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
Justice (25-42)
First Nations families who lost loved ones in Thunder Bay seek answers amid renewed heat on police service
Deaths of Corey Belesky, Mackenzie Moonias, Jenna Ostberg still under investigation Vanessa Sakanee, centre top wearing eyeglasses, is comforted after speaking about her daughter, Mackenzie……
April 23, 2024
Environment
Canada Pushes For More Mining In Ecuador Despite Resistance
The Maple: The Canadian and Ecuadorian governments continue to forge ahead with free trade agreement (FTA) plans, despite opposition from social movements and Indigenous Peoples……
April 23, 2024
Environment
First Nation sees path to ‘energy sovereignty’ in solar farm
Anahim Lake project, said to be country’s largest off-grid solar farm, will greatly reduce reliance on diesel Ulkatcho First Nation set to build largest off-grid……
April 23, 2024
Justice (25-42)
First Nations leaders call for Thunder Bay Police Service to be disbanded
Nishnawbe Aski Nation leaders, MPP to address media in Toronto after OPP lays charges against ex-police chief First Nations leaders address issues with Thunder Bay……
April 22, 2024
Health (18-24)
Racism, discrimination may lead to First Nations patients leaving emergency rooms: Alberta study
A Siksika Nation councillor says the study reflects community members’ experiences A Calgary Fire Department vehicle sits outside the Alberta Children’s Hospital emergency room. (Mike Symington/CBC)……
April 22, 2024
Missing Children and Burial Information (71-76)
Haida residential school survivor alleges defamation from priest
Calgary court to decide whether proposed class action lawsuit by Elder Sphenia Jones will go ahead Haida Elder Sphenia Jones, pictured, is leading a proposed……
April 22, 2024
Treaties and Land Claims
Nuchatlaht granted partial land title on Nootka Island
Court decision means nation will reap economic benefits from 11.33 sq. km of land on Nootka Island Nuchatlaht First Nation Tyee Ha’with (Chief) Jordan Michael,……
April 22, 2024
Justice (25-42)
‘He took the truth with him’: Man acquitted in Tina Fontaine’s death found dead in Ontario
Tina’s great aunt says this means many questions will remain unanswered Tina Fontaine was 15 when she was murdered in Winnipeg. The case remains unsolved.……
April 22, 2024
Health (18-24)
‘We are quite sorry’: Inquest learns about Darla Skookum’s state the night she died
Darla Skookum, 52, died at the shelter last April A sign for the coroner’s inquest currently underway in Whitehorse. Photo: APTN News APTN News: Shelter……
April 22, 2024
Environment
Hollow Water members set to deliver petition in last ditch attempt to stop mine
An In-depth exploration into the timeline and approval of the silica sand mine. https://player.vimeo.com/video/936842292?badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479 APTN News: People who are opposing a silica mine in Hollow……
April 22, 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?
Featured Content
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
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: April 1, 2024
Continue readingHow successful are the 24 Faculties of Law in implementing Call to Action # 28?
The 24 Faculties of Law in Canada have taken widely different approaches to implementing a mandatory Indigenous course in response to Call to Action # 28. What follows is an objective view of what each faculty is delivering based exclusively on how many mandatory Indigenous courses are offered over how many terms that address the
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