LibGuides: Indigenous Peoples in Canada: Truth & Reconciliation

What is Reconciliation?
Chief Justice Murray Sinclair.
Namwayut: We are all one – Truth and Reconciliation in Canada Chief Robert Joseph shares his experience as a residential school survivor and the importance of truth and reconciliation in Canada.
What does reconciliation mean? (04:46) Have you heard the word reconciliation before? It comes up a lot around Orange Shirt Day, which is marked every year on September 30 as a day to raise awareness about the horror faced by Indigenous people who were forced to attend Canadian residential schools. In 2021, Canada announced that September 30 would officially be called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and federal workers would be given the day off in order to acknowledge that history. But what does reconciliation even mean?
What is Reconciliation? | CBC Kids (2:31) This video may be upsetting for some. Watch with care. Have you ever wondered what reconciliation is, and what it means for Indigenous people? This video breaks down the truth about Canada’s history of residential schools, the TRC’s 94 calls to action and how we all can be part of the journey to reconciliation.
Reconciliation (25:13) 2021 | Telling our Twisted Histories Reconciliation is a word that's made its way into Canada's political vocabulary and into Indigenous communities. Some see it as yet another empty promise; others see it as a path forward. It's a word that is both divisive and complicated. Together, we will look at the fractured relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations to look for a way forward that is balanced and fair.
The Road to Reconciliation (7:00) 2015 What does reconciliation look like? CBC's Duncan McCue reports on the personal response to the idea of reconciliation in one B.C. community. For the many trying to figure out what reconciliation looks like and how we can move forward, perhaps look no further than the unique relationship between John and Nancy Denham, a non-Aboriginal couple, and their drum teacher Terry Aleck, a residential school survivor.
Why don't residential school survivors just get over it?: Murray Sinclair (1:32) 2017 To those who ask why Indigenous people don't just "get over" the residential school experience, Senator Murray Sinclair has this response: "My answer has always been: Why can't you always remember this?" Sinclair was speaking at one of The Current's public forums on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG).
Stolen Children: Truth and Reconciliation (40:06) 2010 June 2010 marked the first national hearing of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, aimed at addressing the painful legacy of residential schools in Canada. First Nations, Métis and Inuit survivors began putting their stories on the official record as the Commission commenced its complex work. This collection of six documentaries from The National profiles Justice Murray Sinclair, Manitoba’s first Aboriginal judge and the head of the Commission; uncovers the personal stories of survivors both on the ground in Winnipeg and across Canada; and gets up-close with 11-year-old Wanekia Morning Star Cooke to hear the younger generation’s take on the residential school experience.
Rex Murphy: Truth and Reconciliation Report (3:19) 2015 Rex Murphy emphasizes the importance of the Canadian government taking measurable action on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He predicts voters will make this a central issue in the 2015 federal election and expect all parties to have a detailed plan to address the myriad ongoing issues for Aboriginal communities. Recommended for Secondary
#Beyond94 – Canada's cultural genocide of Indigenous Peoples (3:59) 2018 The Truth and Reconciliation Commission spoke to thousands of survivors and found that what took place in residential schools in Canada amounted to the cultural genocide of Indigenous Peoples. So what changes have been made since then?
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#Beyond94 Teacher Guide available on Spark
Is the Canadian government delivering on Truth and Reconciliation? (2:44) 2018 More than two years ago the Canadian government promised to bring justice and equality to Indigenous people following the Truth and Reconciliation commission. There were 94 calls to action in the report — this CBC News exclusive progress report digs into whether the government is delivering on its promises.
Ryan McMahon's 12-step guide to decolonizing Canada (07:16) 2017 Ryan McMahon is is an Anishinaabe comedian and writer, and this is the first in his five-part guide to eliminating colonialism in Canada. He argues that we've been pretty good as a country at ignoring our not-so-pretty past, and many don't even believe Canada has a history of colonialism. But as he says, "It didn't just happen. It's ongoing."
Central Kootenay school ditches name of a royal family member for reconciliation with Lower Kootenay Band (9:08) 2021 The former Prince Charles Secondary School in Creston, B.C. held a ceremony to remove the royal family member's name from its exterior signage — just three days after the Kootenay Lake School District voted unanimously to order the deletion. Ki Louie, a teacher at the former Prince Charles Secondary School, and his uncle Robert Louie, the first Indigenous graduate from the school, speak to CBC's Chris Walker about the name change.
Jesuits, First Nations Participate in Reconciliation Canoe Trip (10:37) 2017 After learning about the Jesuit residential schools in Ontario, a priest in training organized a canoe trip with Indigenous, Jesuit and lay participants with the goal of reconciliation.
Residential School Shame: The TRC Report (18:20) September 2015 In the 19th century the Canadian government set up the residential school system as a way to teach English and Christianity to Aboriginal children. Successive generations were taken from their families and put in boarding schools run by churches. Over the years, many of the children suffered physical, mental and even sexual abuse. Many died. In 2008 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was created to look into the legacy of this dark chapter in our history. Its report was released in June 2015.
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NIR-15-04 Residential School Shame Support Materials available on Spark

Messages for kids on Orange Shirt Day | CBC Kids News (6:01)
All About Orange Shirt Day | CBC Kids (1:55) September 30th is Orange Shirt Day. It's also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Learn all about this important day and how it came to be.
Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis Webstad answers kids’ questions | CBC Kids News (9:48) Orange Shirt Day marks its 10th anniversary this year. Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis Webstad answered kids’ questions about the history of the commemorative day and residential schools.
Healing the Past: Canada’s First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (15:27) 2021 September 30 now marks Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. More than 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were forced to attend government-funded residential schools between the 1870s and 1997. There was reported abuse in these schools. More than 4,000 children failed to return home. This annual day of commemoration is seen as a way to raise awareness of past wrongs and an important step in the healing process.
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Healing the Past Support Materials available on Spark

Truth and Reconciliation
Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada (authentic voice)
Reconciliation By Karyn Pugliese
Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada (authentic voice)
Reconciliation is a 4-letter word for Indigenous communities still facing oppression: Jody Wilson-Raybould
Remember the Children
Kayak Magazine Issue

There [are] just so many stereotypes we live with. | Trina Qaqqaq, Inuit Qaqqaq would like Canadians to understand Indigenous people: their communities, their history on the land, and the challenges they face.
Reconciliation in Saskatchewan The Office of the Treaty Commissioner is working to support a provincial movement for truth and Reconciliation in the Treaty territory of Saskatchewan.
Claiming a name | Ryerson School of Journalism For many Indigenous people, the act of returning to or seeking out traditional naming practices can be a first step towards reclamation. Story by Maija Kappler

CBC Kids Book Club | Every Child Matters (2:21) Residential school survivor and founder of Orange Shirt Day, Phyllis Webstad shares her story and the message that Every Child Matters.
Trailer for Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams This is a NEW film in the Spirit Bear series, honouring the memories of all the children and families affected by residential schools and the veterans who fought for peace and justice for all people in Canada. Synopsis: Spirit Bear is visiting Algonquin territory when he meets Jake, a friendly dog with a bag full of paper hearts attached to wood stakes. Jake tells Spirit Bear that school children and residential school survivors will plant the hearts when a big report on residential schools called the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC for short) is shared. The TRC will have Calls to Action so we can all help end the unfairness and make sure this generation of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit children grow up healthy and proud!

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Indigenous Peoples in Canada: Truth & Reconciliation

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