Truth and Reconciliation

Question 1

What was the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada?

Answer 1

The TRC was officially established in 2008 with the purpose of documenting the history and lasting impacts of the Canadian Indian residential school system on Indigenous students and their families.

Question 2

What are some of the recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission?

Answer 2

• Fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Get an apology from the Pope for the role of the Roman Catholic Church in the abuse of Indigenous children in Catholic-run residential schools.
• Create a mandatory, age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, treaties and the contribution of Indigenous people to be taught to children across Canada.
• Develop and implement strategies to identify, document, mtain and commemorate cemeteries at former residential schools or other sites wehre their students are buried.
• Post-secondary institutions should develop programs in Indigenous languages.
• Reduce the number of Indigenous children in government care.
• Governments should work to reduce the number of Indigenous people in prison and to close the health gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.