Tansi!
It is hard to believe that the school year is drawing to a close and that this is my last post on the blog. The past year has certainly been one that will stay in our memories forever. Although the coronavirus pandemic has been extremely difficult, it has also showcased the resilience and strength of so many.
As I reflect on this past year and what I’ve learned, a few thoughts come to mind. Firstly, if our evaluation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action reflect where Canada is at with reconciliation, then we have made minimal progress. Some initiatives, like funding Indigenous infrastructure show small steps forward, but ultimately reconciliation simply hasn’t taken priority in Canada.
(Photo Credit: BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35105339 Senator Murray Sinclair at the release of the TRC Report, 2015)
So, where do we go from here? Canada truly needs to “walk the walk”. There have been so many reports, committees and conferences discussing how Indigenous peoples continue to be discriminated against in economic policies, criminal justice and child welfare to name a few; but our institutions continue to respond with inaction. As noted by my colleague yesterday, when action is taken, the reasons are political rather than being grounded in a recognition of inherent rights.
Secondly, I find hope in the increasing recognition of Indigenous self-government. For so long, Indigenous peoples have been treated like a “problem” that needs to be solved. After years of ineffective and racist policies, there appears to be a slow move towards placing power back into the hands of Indigenous communities.
However, this is not without conflict. Questions like those raised in Dickson v Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, 2020 YKSC 22 demonstrate the complexity in applying multiple frameworks to determine individual rights. Further, without adequate resources, self-governed institutions are being set up to fail. We must capitalize on the opportunity to work in partnership with Indigenous communities and build robust frameworks that allow them to thrive.
Lastly, I am so grateful to have been a part of this project! Learning about a different Call to Action every week has taught me so much about reconciliation and working on this team has been nothing short of wonderful. Thank you for following along with us, and I truly hope you tune in next year!
Sincerely,
Tamya
