Canadian Race Relations Foundation: More action needed to advance reconciliation

Colonial violence has an enduring legacy.  

The residential school system, which operated in Canada for over a century, forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families and communities, subjecting them to cultural assimilation, abuse, and neglect. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours the survivors, their families, and those who did not return, while also acknowledging the work left to be done. 

As part of the ongoing effects of colonization, Indigenous peoples continue to experience systemic harm, from disproportionate levels of poverty to poor health outcomes, violence, and inadequate access to education, clean drinking water, and other essential services. Violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people also remains a critical issue, highlighted by the findings of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).  

In recent weeks, the killings of Indigenous people by police have steeped communities in grief and outrage. In its Report Card on the implementation of the Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in June 2024, the Assembly of First Nations noted that no progress has been made to support police services reform, and that, as the Auditor General reported, reconciliation initiatives have not resulted in meaningful change. To date, very few of the 18 calls to action on justice in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Final report has been completed. 

These actions are long overdue. For reconciliation to be genuine, and to save precious lives, there can be no further delay. 

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The CRRF is committed to supporting initiatives that grow understanding, build solidarity, increase unity and continue our learning and journey on reconciliation alongside Indigenous peoples in Canada. We are grateful to learn from, work with and support Indigenous teachers, partners and collaborators on this journey. Over the past year, we were honoured to collaborate with Dr Alika Lafontaine and Antica Productions to produce The Healthcare Divide, a new podcast revealing uncomfortable truths, troubling realities and innovative efforts to overcome systemic racism in Canada's healthcare system, as well as reflections on ways to bring together Indigenous and western philosophies of medicine and re-imagine ways for Canada's healthcare system to work better for Indigenous patients.  

This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation we encourage you to watch the second and third videos in our series about anti-Indigenous racism in Canada's education system, produced in partnership with First People's Group.  

Stay tuned also for upcoming programming from CRRF media fellowship recipients Coop de solidarité Pivot in Quebec and Cabin Radio in the Northwest Territories on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.  

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419. 

Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls are encouraged to contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649. 

First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.