Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Type	Government agency
Founded	2008

Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a commission chaired by Murray Sinclair.

In Anishinabek News

• December 2013: Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux cited the commission when discussing how to move into a new era of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
• July 2015: The authors noted that the recommendations of the commission, led by Murray Sinclair, had only recently been released as of July 2015.
• January 2016: Brenda Restoule referenced the commission's recommendations while discussing the long-term assault on identity caused by residential schools.
• January 2016: The authors acknowledged the importance of the policies outlined in the report of this commission.
• April 2016: The commission's 94 recommendations were discussed by panelists at Nipissing University.
• October 2016: The commission's report was mentioned as a document necessitating a deep reset of government policies toward Indigenous peoples.
• November 2016: The commission's 94th Call to Action recommends that treaties with Indigenous peoples be lawfully honoured.
• November 2016: The commission released 94 recommendations to address the legacy of the residential school system in Canada. Its 43rd Call to Action requires all levels of government to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• December 2016: The commission provided recommendations that identified a need for changes in Native Child Welfare and servicing. The Waabnoong Bemjiwang Child Well-Being Agency Development Project is described as being in keeping with the commission's work.
• January 2017: The commission recorded seven years of testimony which is being made accessible to the public. Some documents gathered by the commission through an adjudicated process will remain restricted due to their private and personal nature.
• February 2017: The commission issued 94 calls to action intended to improve the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. Public education sessions led by George Couchie were held in the spirit of the commission's recommendations.
• April 2017: The commission's recommendations include cultural competency training for healthcare and judicial professionals. Local initiatives in North Bay were inspired by the commission's calls to educate the public on Treaties and Indigenous contributions.
• June 2017: The commission's recommendations state that the federal government is responsible for funding the revitalization and preservation of Indigenous languages.
• June 2017: Leslee White-Eye was recognized for her pursuit of the calls to action developed from the commission's recommendations.
• September 2017: The commission's recommendations are cited as a framework for using education to combat racism.
• October 2017: The commission produced 94 Calls to Action intended to engage all levels of government and every citizen of Canada.
• January 2018: Lance Copegog stated that a process of healing and truth-telling is necessary following the conclusion of this commission.
• March 2018: The commission's hearings meant that shared history could no longer be ignored.
• April 2018: The commission's 58th Call to Action requested a formal apology from the Pope for the church's role in the schools.
• April 2018: The commission was established in 2009.
• March 2019: Charlene Bearhead noted that the commission's final report had been released just over three years prior to her 2019 address.
• September 2019: Kerry Potts identified this commission as a turning point that contributed to Indigenous studies.
• September 2019: Lila Bruyere argued that it is the responsibility of the Survivors’ Circle to ensure the commission's work remains prominent.
• October 2019: Some large employers in the area are seeking to hire more First Nations people in response to the commission's Calls to Action.
• November 2019: The final recommendations of this commission support the necessity of protecting water.
• January 2020: The commission's calls to action are being used to launch new initiatives within school boards. Jim Eshkawkogan noted that these initiatives are key to fostering inclusive and connected Indigenous education.
• June 2020: The authors suggested that the recommendations from this commission have not been sufficiently implemented by governments.
• July 2020: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission produced materials to inform Canadians about the Indian Residential School system. The commission documented the intergenerational impacts of residential schools and a commitment to nurturing right relations.
• July 2020: Jesse Thistle argued that Indigenous youth are graduating during a time of increased cultural pride following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
• August 2020: This commission released 94 Calls to Action to address the legacy of government-run boarding schools. It is cited alongside the Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry as a key document for improving public awareness of Indigenous rights.
• October 2020: The commission is associated with the spirit of social change and reconciliation honored by the Atlohsa Peace Awards.
• November 2020: The Anishinabek Nation developed treaty education resources long before the recommendations of this commission's report were released.
• November 2020: The commission recommended 94 calls to action. Acknowledging traditional Indigenous territories is considered a step toward following the recommendations of this commission.
• November 2020: The commission presented its final report and Calls to Action more than five years prior to November 2020. Its work provided valuable knowledge through oral testimonies and historical research regarding colonial education systems.
• December 2020: Mary Bell worked with this organisation to record the personal histories of residential school survivors.
• January 2021: Cindy Crowe provides information during her webinars on the progress Canada has made regarding Truth and Reconciliation action steps.
• March 2021: The commission issued Calls to Action that all Canadians be educated about the Indigenous facet of the country.
• March 2021: The recommendations of this commission were cited in R v. Sayers 2017 as an impetus for the Crown to resolve disputes with First Nations through dialogue.
• March 2021: This commission was established as part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement to address the history of the school system.
• June 2021: The commission's final report documented the mistreatment of Indigenous children and noted that at least 3,200 children died due to neglect and abuse.
• July 2021: The commission operated from 2008 to 2015 and issued a final report with various Calls to Action. The designation of the Shingwauk Indian Residential School is a response to Call to Action 79 regarding the commemoration of residential school sites.
• August 2021: The federal government announced funding in 2021 to fully implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. As of August 2021, over 80 per cent of the 76 Calls to Action that fall under federal responsibility are reported to be completed or underway.
• August 2021: The Government of Canada committed funds to implement the commission's Calls to Action 72 to 76 regarding missing children. The commission's final report documented the truths that Indigenous communities have lived with for generations.
• September 2021: The commission produced 94 Calls to Action that Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux advocates for implementing across government operations.
• September 2021: The commission's recommendations included the repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery. The Green Party of Canada supports implementing the commission's Calls to Action regarding cemeteries and death records.
• September 2021: The commission estimated that more than 6,000 children are buried at residential school sites throughout Canada.
• November 2021: The commission provided a portion of the funding required to build the Mt. Elgin Industrial Institute – Indian Residential School Monument.
• February 2022: The commission defined reconciliation as establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships between Anishinabe and non-Anishinabe. A companion document from the commission outlines ten foundational principles intended to ensure the notion of reconciliation remains true to its original intent.
• March 2022: The commission's Calls to Action 71 through 76 concern missing children and burial information.
• June 2022: Canadore College was heralded for meeting the commission's Calls to Action.
• July 2022: The commission did not include a national inquiry or final report specifically for the Indian Day Schools system. The chair of the commission emphasized that education is necessary to resolve the issues created by the colonial school system.
• November 2022: The commission issued Calls to Action urging governments to reform the child welfare system and reduce the number of Indigenous children in care.
• February 2023: The Nibwaakaawin program aims to help businesses follow the meaningful consultation recommended in the commission's Calls to Action.
• September 2023: The commission's report contains Calls to Action that Lakehead University aims to address through public programming.
• October 2023: More than half of Canadian universities have created specific action plans to respond to the commission's 94 Calls to Action. The commission's work has prompted over 80 percent of social work programs to include the history of Indian Residential Schools in their teaching.
• November 2023: The book argues that true reconciliation requires more than just governmental lip service toward this commission.
• November 2023: The work of this commission is credited with making the Canadian public familiar with some aspects of the Indian Act.
• January 2024: The hockey equipment donation initiative responds to call to action 89, which seeks to reduce barriers to sports participation.
• February 2024: CBC/Radio-Canada plans to ground its stories and content development processes in the principles of this commission.
• June 2024: The commission's Calls to Action inspired James Darin Corbiere to begin the journey of publishing his educational board game. The game The Truth in Truth and Reconciliation aims to address the truths identified by the commission regarding Canadian history.
• October 2024: The commission was led by Murray Sinclair, who reflects on his life and work in his 2024 memoir.
• October 2024: The commission issued 94 Calls to Action, one of which inspired the annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Linda Debassige noted that the commission only existed because survivors spoke out about their experiences.
• July 2025: Materials from this commission were used as a source for the book Nii Ndahlohke: Boys' and Girls' Work at Mount Elgin Industrial School, 1890-1915.
• June 2026: The commission spent years documenting the atrocities and deaths that occurred within the Indian Residential School system.
• June 2026: The article states that current changes to the Ontario curriculum disregard the recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
• September 2026: The commission was chaired by Murray Sinclair.