In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission published 94 Calls to Action for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians to come together in a concerted effort to help repair the harm caused by residential schools and move forward with reconciliation.
Have you wondered how you can act on the TRC: Calls to Actions?
Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner, Sen Murray Sinclair, says Canadians can work toward reconciliation by reading the report and finding a call to action that interests them.
What Are the Calls to Action?
The calls to action are the specific things that Aboriginal Canadians have outlined that are essential to supporting reconciliation as a country.
The 94 calls are divided into the following categories:
Legacy
Child welfare
Education
Language and culture
Health
Justice
Reconciliation
Canadian Government and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People
Royal Proclamation and Covenant of Reconciliation
Settlement Agreement Parties and the UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People
Equity for Aboriginal people in the legal system
National Council for Reconciliation
Professional Development and Training for Public Servants
Church Apologies and Reconciliation
Education for Reconciliation
Youth Programs
Museums and Archives
Missing Children and Burial Information
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Commemoration
Media and Reconciliation
Sports and Reconciliation
Business and Reconciliation
Newcomers to Canada
What Progress Have We Made?
Here's an overview of what's been done so far:
As Canadians, we have a lot of work to do.
What Actions Should I Support?
You can work on any action that you feel best suits your strengths.
Consider these examples...
A sports enthusiast might take initiative to educate themselves and others on the achievements of Aboriginal athletes. (Call 87)
An avid news reader might write to the CBC to request increased coverage of the legacy of Residential schools. (Call 84)
A healthcare worker might consider ways that their institution could deliver more equitable health services to Aboriginal communities. (Call 19)
Quiz
What's the best way to action the TRC Calls?
What Makes A True Ally?
Being a true ally requires more than a one-off activity or social media post.
As you educate yourself on the TRC Calls to Action, you'll find that there are opportunities to create more awareness, justice, and equality at both the personal and professional level.
You don't have to do everything at once.
But to be a true ally, you need to start - and make a commitment to continue the work.
Quiz
Which is a behavior of a true ally?
Take Action
Review the 94 calls. Which calls stand out to you?
Talk with a colleague about actions you can work on together to address, and be part of Reconciliation in Canada.
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