Reconciliation Initiatives in Canada

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)

1. Reconciliation
A. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) / UN Declaration 
? 2007 - The UN General Assembly adopted the UNDRIP, which covers all facets of Indigenous peoples’ human rights, including culture, identity, religion, language, health, education, and community.

? A universal framework of minimum standards for survival, dignity and well being of the Indigenous peoples of the world

Video: UNDRIP What You Should Know
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act(Declaration Act) - UNDRIP in BC
? October 2019 - BC became the first province in Canada to introduce legislation adopting the UNDRIP. In November 2019, it became law in B.C
? Establishes the UNDRIP as the Province’s framework for reconciliation as called for by the TRC’s Calls to Action
? Requires the development of an action plan to bring provincial laws in harmony with the UNDRIP
? The final action plan is to be released in 2022 - see timeline
? Declaration Act FAQs DRAFT ACTION PLAN

B. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Calls to Action (link)
? Kamloops Residential School - remains of 215 children buried at the site were uncovered
? Pope has agreed to visit Canada, but his visit has been delayed until 2022 due to pandemic concerns
? To redress the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation, in its final report (2015) the TRC called on governments, educational and religious institutions, civil society groups and all Canadians to take action on the 94 Calls to Action it identified.
? To monitor the progress of TRC, refer to the website: Beyond 94 ? 13 complete, 29 in progress - projects underway, 32 in progress - projects proposed, 20 not started (as of Oct 4, 2021)

Videos:
? How can Canadians work toward reconciliation - interview with Sen. Murray Sinclair
? Highlights from opening speeches of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
? Canadian Federal Government Apology to First Nations
? Stolen Children | Residential School survivors speak out

C. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
? NWAC’s Sisters In Spirit (SIS) Initiative confirmed cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls to raise awareness of this human rights issue. It indicates that homicides involving Indigenous women are more likely to go unsolved compared to their non-Indigenous
counterparts. Document: Fact Sheet: Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA Peoples in Canada MMIWG Final Report- consisted of the truths of more than 2,380 family members regarding the violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA and included more than 200 recommendations Highway of Tears - Indigenous women were either missing or found murdered along the length of
highway 16. From 1969 to 2006, the RCMP has been investigating 18 women who have gone missing or murdered. Until now, there is no exact number of women who have gone missing, but many people living in the north believe that the number exceeds more than 30.

2.  Reconciliation in The Media
A. Salish Raven BC Ferries (2017 to present)
Artwork for the vessel was designed by Musqueam Nation’s Thomas Cannell and will be applied on the ship in B.C. BC Ferries’ vessels that are currently designed by Indigenous artists include the Salish Orca, Salish Eagle, and Salish Heron.

B. Proposed master plan for Modern Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh urban village (November 2021)  5,000 homes and film studio is planned to be built next to BCIT Burnaby in which the entire design of the site will incorporate elements inspired by the nations’ culture and history

C. Terrace Indigenous skater takes front page of US magazine (November 2018) Gitxsan-Tsimshian member Teysean Angeline Henry, 15, will be featured on the front cover of Native Hoop, a popular US magazine showcasing Indigenous success.

D. Edmonton Oilers (October 2021)
The hockey team, Edmonton Oilers, changed their logo incorporating Turtle Island.

E. Quebec Cree to put their stamp on Montreal Skyline with 26 storey tower (December 2021)
The design of the building (stylized canoe coming out of the ground) comes from a collaboration between architectural firm Lemay and Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal, who said that when he first visited the site, he had a strong vision of a canoe.