‘In order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission makes the following calls to action;’
I'm sharing these because I want my family and friends who are settlers in 'Canada' to read through each of the TRC's 94 Calls to Action. There is so much to go through, but this is a good place to start.
You can find both: ‘Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future’ (Summary of the Final Report of the TRC) and the Calls to Action documents in the links below. Share them widely and however you are able to. These reports are in the public domain so anyone can share them without request for permission.
We need to deepen our understanding of these stories. We need to sit with them and let them sink into our memories so that when we raise our voices to demand justice for Indigenous people, we are doing so in a good way. If you have kids, help them to understand this ongoing history as well.
This should be required reading for all Canadian settlers. (Which is actually called for in Action item 63; Developing & implementing K-12 curriculum and learning resources on Aboriginal peoples in Canadian history + the history and legacy of residential schools and building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.) That, and many other of the Calls to Action have not been met. On 'Missing Children & Burial Information', the there are 6 TRC Calls to Action that haven't been met - read which ones are still on the government's 'to-do' list from Khelsilem here.
Part of believing survivors is taking the time to hear their stories. Think of the excruciating trauma that had to be unearthed over the course of the TRC - the least we settlers can do is to read through these testimonies, and then learn about the 94 actions we can to take.
No more looking away. No more denial. No more wondering ‘what really happened’. These violent stories are the foundations on which this country was created. Please take the time to read them. Share with others and discuss your role, reflect in silence, learn each of the Calls to Action by heart so that you can articulate them when they're not being met. And because the government is lazy, remember; applying them in your own life is just as important.
Demand justice for Indigenous people.
Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future’ (Summary of the Final Report of the TRC)
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada | Calls to Action