Truth and Reconciliation Commission

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was a landmark initiative established to document the history and lasting impacts of Canada’s residential school system on Indigenous Peoples. It played a vital role in educating Canadians and guiding the nation toward reconciliation.

Background

For over 150 years, Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in residential schools.
These schools were funded by the federal government and run primarily by churches.
The goal was to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian society, often by erasing their languages, cultures, and identities.
Many children faced neglect, abuse, and cultural loss.

Establishment of the TRC

The TRC was created as part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement in 2008.
It operated from 2008 to 2015.
Its mandate was to:

 * Collect survivor testimonies
 * Educate the public
 * Promote healing and reconciliation
 * Recommend systemic changes

Key Findings

In 2015, the TRC published its final report, which concluded that:

The residential school system amounted to “cultural genocide”.
More than 150,000 Indigenous children attended these schools.
Thousands never returned home, and many remain in unmarked graves.
The legacy of trauma continues across generations.

94 Calls to Action

The Commission issued 94 Calls to Action, which provide a framework for reconciliation. They are grouped into themes such as:

Child Welfare
Education
Health
Justice
Language and Culture
Church Apologies
Commemoration
Professional Training
Youth Programs
Media and Sports

Selected Calls to Action

Call to Action #80: Establish a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Call to Action #62: Include Indigenous history in school curricula
Call to Action #18–24: Improve Indigenous health outcomes
Call to Action #53–56: Establish a National Council for Reconciliation

Impact and Legacy

Increased national awareness of the residential school tragedy
Influenced changes in school curricula and public discourse
Led to the creation of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept 30)
Inspired memorials, art, and healing initiatives across the country

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

First observed in 2021.
A federal statutory holiday to honour survivors and reflect on the legacy of residential schools.
Worn symbol: The orange shirt, representing children who were taken from their families.

Challenges to Reconciliation

Despite progress, many Calls to Action remain unfulfilled. Key issues include:

Access to clean drinking water on reserves
Inadequate funding for Indigenous education
Ongoing systemic racism
Slow pace of legal and institutional reform

Related Pages

External Links

Reconciliation is not an event — it is a journey that requires education, accountability, and the collective will to build a more just Canada.