Northern Indigenous leader on federal progress of reconciliation calls to action
As an Indigenous leader from northern Ontario reflects on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, he says political will is needed to complete the remaining 78 or so calls to action in connection to the Canadian residential school system.
Seven years ago, the National Truth and Reconciliation Committee released its report on the Canadian residential school system and recommended 94 calls to action.
But the total number of those completed depends on who you ask.
To date, the federal government said 17 have been implemented, but several groups, such as Indigenous Watchdog, say it considers several of those calls to action incomplete.
Derek Archibald, the deputy chief of Taykwa Tagamou Nation, said the federal government is lacking the political will to complete the remaining calls to action.
"The federal government has said that the relationship with Indigenous people is the most important, but 16 out of the 94 calls to action speaks for itself. What we need is will behind the words," Archibald said.
"I was just speaking with Cindy Blackstock prior to this interview and yeah, we both agree, you know, the calls to action from one to six are the most important. You know, we need to stop the inequity that the First Nation children face versus the general population."
Taykwa Tagamou Nation Deputy Chief Derek Archibald (left) with Cindy Blackstock (centre) in Ottawa. Sept. 30/22 (Supplied)
Blackstock (centre) is an advocate for Indigenous children's rights and was the driving force of a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal case against the federal government in connection with discriminatory child welfare practices against First Nation children on reserve.
Archibald (left) said the biggest challenge his First Nation community is facing is the continued underfunding of services for child welfare, health and education.
He and a group of members from his community have gathered in Ottawa to take part in activities for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Members of a northern Ontario First Nation gather in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Sept. 30/22 (Supplied)
Members of Taykwa Tagamou Nation meet in Ottawa for activities related to the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Sept. 30/22 (Supplied)
"I have deep, mixed emotions about it, yeah. Personally, it's a day to reflect on my family's involvement in the residential schools. On the other hand, I'm happy to be here in Ottawa with our community members. It's great to see so many people wearing orange shirts in the streets. It shows that they're recognizing our history," the deputy chief said.
"On the other hand, it's just one day of recognition, right? It just shows what survivors have gone through, what they live with every day and the ongoing trauma that our communities face because of the residential schools that were imposed upon us."
He wants non-Indigenous people to understand the history of First Nation Peoples in Canada.
"I'm 32 and the last residential school closed while I was still alive. It wasn't long ago, but it's important history to reflect on. Today's a great day to do that reflection," Archibald said.
"I think it's important for non-Indigenous people to participate in today's activities and just to understand the whole purpose of it and just to understand the history."
Taykwa Tagamou Nation has approximately 700 members with about 176 living on the reserve near Cochrane, Ont.
He said the current issues happening in his community due to the intergenerational trauma caused by the residential school system has affected him and was a big part of his motivation to run for council.
"Part of my work is to help our people heal," Archibald said.
A crowd wearing orange shirts march in Ottawa on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Sept. 30/22 (Taykwa Tagamou Nation)
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
The ongoing intergenerational trauma caused by the residential school system can cause distress for some Indigenous people. If you or someone you know is struggling, help and support are available. Find more information here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.