260 years of promises made and promises broken to Canada’s First Peoples
What progress has been made since the TRC Calls to Action were released in June 2015?
Welcome to Indigenous Watchdog
As of May 1, 2024 36% of the 94 TRC Calls to Action are either NOT STARTED or STALLED? Why?
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Indigenous Watchdog, a federally registered non-profit, is committed to transforming the reconciliation dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians into ACTION.
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By curating details from multiple sources – government stakeholders as well as local and national media, research reports, studies, white papers, statistics, budgets – Indigenous Watchdog will deliver relevant, current information to raise awareness on Indigenous issues through an Indigenous lens.
Where are we today?
Start with clicking “Learn More” below to go directly to the Calls to Action landing page: a single page view to the status of all 94 Calls to Action with links to dive deeper into any Indigenous issue you wish to explore.
Be informed. Speak up. Take action. Only then will reconciliation happen.
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Not Started
In Progress
Stalled
Complete
19/94
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Featured Updates
Call to Action # 41
Manitoba partners with federal government on Red Dress Alert for missing Indigenous women and girls
Provincial pilot project expected to help inform future national alert system Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree, centre, announces the pilot program, flanked by NDP MP……
May 3, 2024
Environment
The true cost of critical minerals
By Emilie Cameron, Rosemary Collard & Jessica Dempsey | Opinion | Canada’s National Observer: OPINION – Canada is positioning itself as a global destination for critical mineral extraction. Are we willing to……
May 2, 2024
Justice (25-42)
Why the RCMP Won’t Face Consequences for Dale Culver’s Death
Prosecutors made the ‘extremely rare’ move to consult an independent expert — one who’s been accused of bias. His report toppled the case. Amanda Follett……
May 2, 2024
Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation
AMC Calls Bill C-29 Redundant to Reconciliation
NationTalk: Winnipeg, Treaty One Territory – May 1:The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) says the exclusion of First Nations representation from the development of Bill……
May 2, 2024
Call to Action # 18
New supports for allied health, clinical support workers will boost workforce
NationTalk: VANCOUVER – May 1, 2024: People accessing health care will benefit from a stronger workforce as the Province further invests in recruitment, retention and training……
May 2, 2024
Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation
Nitsénhaienhs travelled to Ottawa for Bill S-268 meetings
NationTalk: (Kahnawake – 1 Onerahtohkó:wa/May 2024) – The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to inform the community that Nitsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer and Cody Diabo traveled……
May 2, 2024
Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation
Advancing reconciliation with a new Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation
NationTalk: Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples is our most important one. As partners with the original inhabitants and stewards of Canada’s lands and waters, we……
May 2, 2024
Environment
Toxic sewage discharged at Chalk River nuclear lab
Environment Canada issues direction to correct breach, confirms effluent was toxic to fish A view of the Chalk River Laboratories research facility from the water. (Reno……
May 2, 2024
Call to Action # 53
Bill C-29 passes in Parliament
The federal Reconciliation Council was officially given life when Bill C-29 received Royal Assent Tuesday in Ottawa. Hamilton Spectator: The federal Reconciliation Council was officially……
May 2, 2024
Urban Commitments to Reconciliation
Quesnel mayor censured, banned from First Nation’s land
Council voted unanimously to censure Ron Paull and relieve him of duties at an emotional meeting First Nations gathered in early April before going to……
May 2, 2024
Why is Indigenous “Reconciliation” necessary?
King George III issued the Royal Proclamation in 1763 – 260 years ago. The Proclamation “explicitly stated that Aboriginal title has existed and continues to exist, and that all land would be considered Aboriginal land until ceded by treaty”1. In 1764, the Treaty of Niagara, attended by over 2000 Indigenous leaders ratified the Proclamation and established a new alliance between the British and Indigenous people who used their traditional way of representing treaties – the wampum belt.
The belt consists of two rows of purple wampum beads on a white background. Three rows of white beads symbolizing peace, friendship, and respect separate the two purple rows. The two purple rows symbolize two paths or two vessels travelling down the same river. One row symbolizes the Haudenosaunee people with their law and customs, while the other row symbolizes European laws and customs. As nations move together side-by-side on the River of Life, they are to avoid overlapping or interfering with one another.
It was understood by the Haudenosaunee that the Two Row agreement would last forever, that is, “as long as the grass is green, as long as the water flows downhill, and as long as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.2”
Breaking the treaty didn’t take long. The colonial government determined that in order to secure the land for future settlement and development, the Indigenous population needed to be moved onto reserves where they could be more easily controlled, marginalized and kept out of the way. The Indian Act of 18764 institutionalized Canada’s racist policies by denying to Indigenous people the basic rights that were available to every other Canadian like:
- the right to vote: granted in 1960
- the right to practice their religion: denied until 1940
- the right to speak their own languages: late 1880s to early 1960s
- permission from Indian agent to leave reserve: 1885 to 1951
- the right to wear traditional regalia: 1906-1951
- the right to organize political organizations: 1927-1951
- the right to hire a lawyer: 1927-1951
Canada’s Constitution Act, 1982 Section 35 recognizes and affirms Aboriginal title. The biggest challenge facing Indigenous peoples is the continuous refusal of the federal, provincial and territory governments to recognize and acknowledge this fact.
Notes:
- indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca
- “A short introduction to the Two Row Wampum”. Briar Patch.Tom Keefer. March 10, 2014
- Two Row Wampum Belt – Gä•sweñta’ image above courtesy of Onondaga Nation, N.Y.
- “21 Things You May Not Know About The Indian Act”. Bob Joseph. Indigenous Relations Press. 2018
About Indigenous Watchdog
Indigenus Watchdog is a federally registered non-profit created to monitor and report on critical Indigenous issues including the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. Our mission is to raise awareness and educate all Canadians on how reconciliation is advancing – or not.
And if not – why?
Featured Content
This space links to the “Perspectives” post for the latest “Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action Status Updates” on the Indigenous Watchdog site. “Perspectives” contains all the Indigenous Watchdog commentary on selected Indigenous issues current at the time of posting
Perspectives Posts
This space links to the “Perspectives” post for the latest “Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action Status Updates” on the Indigenous Watchdog site. “Perspectives” contains all the Indigenous Watchdog commentary on selected Indigenous issues current at the time of posting
See all blog postsTRC Calls To Action Status: May 1, 2024
Continue readingWhat’s New in Indigenous Watchdog: 244 New Entries: April 1 – April 30, 2024
Calls to Action (C2A) Status: May 1, 2024 Not Started Stalled In Progress Complete 15 19 46 14 16% 20% 49% 15% Status Legacy Calls to Action(1-42) + 50-52, 62-65 Reconciliation Calls to Action(43-94) Not Started 2, 9, 10, 26, 34, 42, 51, 52, 64 45, 46, 47, 55, 56, 89 Stalled 6, 8, 12,
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