Celebrating Indigenous Culture and Heritage on National Indigenous Peoples Day

Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, I want to acknowledge that I live, work, and recreate on the traditional, unceded territory of the Kwantlen, Matsqui, Katzie and Semiahmoo First Nations. 

What is National Indigenous Peoples Day?

National Indigenous Peoples Day came about in 1996, it was announced by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc. 15 years later, in 2009, June was declared to be National Indigenous History Month. Both National Indigenous Peoples Day and National Indigenous History month are a time for Canadians to pause, recognize, and celebrate Indigenous peoples’ history, and cultures.

This year, National Indigenous History Month is dedicated to the missing children, the families left behind, and the survivors of Canada’s residential schools. In light of that, today I want to acknowledge the immeasurable losses many families and communities have experienced as a result of residential schools. 

The Legacy of Residential Schools:

The last residential school closed in Canada closed in 1996 - in Saskatchewan. It’s important to acknowledge that residential schools are not some distant history. We are living in very close proximity to these horrifying institutions. As Canadians, we all need to confront and reflect on this reality and the lasting effects of residential schools.

There have been seven generations since the implementation of the Indian Act in 1876. It expressly forbade First Nations from practicing their cultural and spiritual practices, with the goal of assimilating Indigenous peoples into Euro-Canadian culture. Subsequent amendments to the Act created residential schools in 1894. These institutions saw children ripped from their families and subjected to subhuman treatment for the singular goal of eradicating Indigenous culture, language, and identity. This was genocide.

Due to poor record-keeping and administrative practices at these schools, the estimated number of missing children is likely extremely low. At the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, the formal records stated there were 50 missing children. We now know this is vastly inaccurate. On May 27,  215 Indigenous children were found in a mass, unmarked grave at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. This awful tragedy has begun to shine a national spotlight on the enormous impact - and the intergenerational harm and trauma - of Canada’s residential school system. 

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was created with a mandate to inform all Canadians about what happened in residential schools. The TRC documented the truth of survivors and anyone personally affected by the residential school system. This included First Nations, Inuit, and Métis former residential school students, their families, communities, the churches, former school employees, government officials, and other Canadians.

The federal government is actively working to complete all TRC Calls to Action that are under federal responsibility. Over 80% of the Calls to Action under federal responsibility are completed or underway. The Liberal government is committed to the sustained and consistent action required to make progress on Canada’s journey of healing and reconciliation, including providing funding for communities to locate the Indigenous children that died at one of Canada’s 139 residential schools. 

UNDRIP in Canada

Last week, Bill C-15 was passed in the Senate to align Canada’s laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This is a momentous step as work to advance meaningful reconciliation and respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. However, there is still work to be done. 

This Bill does not bring the UN Declaration directly into effect in Canada but instead lays out a framework to guide the government in making Canada’s laws consistent with it. An Action Plan will be created next, and annual reports will be prepared to measure our progress toward achieving the objectives of the Declaration. 

Looking Ahead

While today, and this month, we are encouraged to celebrate and preserve Indigenous culture, one day, or 30 days, is simply not enough. Decolonization requires a continuous commitment. I am - and will remain - steadfast in my pursuit of allyship for Indigenous peoples in our community and country, from coast to coast to coast. Today, and every day, I encourage everyone to pause and reflect on the legacy of residential schools and colonialism, and to celebrate indigenous culture and heritage.