With federal government offices darkened for a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it’s important to reflect on how far we have to go to achieve real reconciliation. A host of issues and challenges face Indigenous peoples in Canada right now. Processes for implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations have created daunting to-do lists while basic needs such as clean water, education and housing remain unmet.
At the same time, many government policies are holding Indigenous peoples back from achieving prosperity and self-determination. And all the while, Canadian flags at half-mast provide a daily reminder of the shame of residential schools, while a growing number of Indigenous leaders call for Canada to stop dwelling on the past and start to work on a brighter future for Indigenous peoples.
To shed light on this topic, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute hosted an expert livestream broadcast on September 30.
