Truth and reconciliation on Turtle Island

The Unfinished Journey: Truth and Reconciliation on Turtle Island

The concept of "truth and reconciliation" is not a gentle suggestion on Turtle Island; it is a profound, often painful, and undeniably urgent imperative for the future of what is now called Canada. It represents a collective reckoning with a history of colonization, dispossession, and cultural genocide, demanding not just acknowledgement but transformative action. This journey, far from complete, is a complex tapestry woven with threads of deep sorrow, unwavering resilience, and nascent hope, all predicated on the understanding that there can be no genuine reconciliation without the full, unvarnished truth.

At the heart of this truth lies the devastating legacy of the Indian Residential School system. For over a century, from the 1870s until the last school closed in 1996, more than 150,000 Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities and placed in institutions designed to "kill the Indian in the child." Operated by various churches and funded by the federal government, these schools were sites of systemic physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, cultural eradication, and profound spiritual harm. Children were forbidden to speak their languages, practice their ceremonies, or connect with their identities. Thousands died from disease, neglect, and abuse, their graves often unmarked and unacknowledged for decades. The intergenerational trauma inflicted by this system continues to ripple through Indigenous families and communities today, manifesting in health disparities, social challenges, and a persistent erosion of trust.

The 60s Scoop, another dark chapter, saw thousands more Indigenous children forcibly removed from their homes by child welfare agencies and placed into non-Indigenous foster or adoptive families, further severing cultural ties and exacerbating the trauma of residential schools. These policies, alongside the deliberate suppression of Indigenous governance, languages, and spiritual practices, were integral to the colonial project aimed at assimilating Indigenous peoples and seizing their lands and resources.

The creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) in 2008 marked a pivotal, though long overdue, step towards acknowledging this painful past. Mandated to document the history and impacts of the residential school system and to share the truths of Survivors, the TRC spent six years gathering testimonies from over 6,500 individuals. Its final report, released in 2015, delivered a searing indictment of the system, concluding that it constituted cultural genocide. Justice Murray Sinclair, the TRC’s Chair, famously stated, "Truth is hard. Reconciliation is harder."

The TRC’s work culminated in 94 Calls to Action, a comprehensive roadmap for reconciliation spanning areas such as child welfare, education, language and culture, health, justice, and corporate and media responsibility. These calls are not mere suggestions; they are urgent directives for all levels of government, institutions, and individual Canadians to confront the ongoing impacts of colonialism and to forge a new relationship based on mutual respect and justice.

However, the path to reconciliation is fraught with challenges and has been met with varying degrees of commitment. While the federal government has issued formal apologies for residential schools and the 60s Scoop, and has undertaken some initiatives, the pace of implementation of the Calls to Action has been slow. As of early 2024, only a fraction of the 94 calls have been fully implemented, and many others remain incomplete or stalled. Critics argue that governmental action often prioritizes symbolic gestures over substantive systemic change, failing to address the deep-rooted inequities that persist.

A critical component of truth-telling continues to emerge through the ongoing discoveries of unmarked graves at former residential school sites. Since May 2021, ground-penetrating radar has identified thousands of potential unmarked graves, reigniting national and international outrage and forcing a deeper confrontation with the horrific realities of these institutions. These discoveries underscore the TRC’s findings and serve as a stark reminder of the children who never returned home, bringing renewed urgency to the calls for justice, repatriation, and memorialization.

Reconciliation, as defined by the TRC, is "an ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships" between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. It acknowledges that "these relationships need to be renewed and restored after more than a century of damage." This process requires more than just government policy; it demands a fundamental shift in mindset and behavior across Canadian society.

For many Indigenous peoples, true reconciliation must be grounded in self-determination, the recognition of inherent rights, and the honouring of treaties. It means addressing the ongoing crises of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people (MMIWG2S), whose inquiry also concluded that Canada’s actions constituted genocide. It means tackling systemic racism in healthcare, justice, and child welfare systems. It means closing the vast socio-economic gaps that continue to exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, gaps often directly attributable to colonial policies. And crucially, it means meaningful action on land back, resource co-management, and the full implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which Canada formally adopted into law through Bill C-15 in 2021. UNDRIP provides a universal framework for the minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of the Indigenous peoples of the world.

For non-Indigenous Canadians, reconciliation requires active learning, unlearning, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. It involves understanding the history and contemporary realities of Indigenous peoples, challenging stereotypes, and actively supporting Indigenous-led initiatives. It means moving beyond mere awareness to "reconcili-action" – tangible steps that contribute to justice and equity. This includes advocating for the implementation of the Calls to Action, supporting Indigenous businesses and artists, engaging in respectful dialogue, and challenging racism in everyday life.

Education plays a vital role. Integrating Indigenous histories, cultures, and perspectives into school curricula from an early age is essential to fostering a generation of Canadians who understand their shared history and are equipped to build a more equitable future. Many universities and colleges have also established Indigenous studies programs, support services, and Indigenous-led governance structures.

The journey of truth and reconciliation on Turtle Island is not linear; it is marked by progress and setbacks, by moments of profound hope and deep disappointment. Yet, amidst the challenges, there are powerful signs of resilience and renewed determination within Indigenous communities. Cultural revitalization is flourishing, with languages being reclaimed, ceremonies being revived, and Indigenous art and knowledge systems gaining increasing recognition. Indigenous youth are at the forefront, leading movements for environmental justice, land rights, and political change.

Ultimately, reconciliation is not about absolving the past but about building a just and equitable future. It is a commitment to a new relationship based on respect, partnership, and the recognition of Indigenous sovereignty and rights. It demands sustained effort, empathy, and courage from all inhabitants of Turtle Island. The work is far from over, but the imperative remains clear: the truth must be fully embraced, and only then can the true work of rebuilding and reconciling begin. It is a long, arduous, but ultimately essential journey towards a Canada that truly lives up to its ideals.