Truth and Reconciliation

In May 2021, we released a report that highlights some of the work underway across government that contributes to the implementation of the Calls to Action. Progress to date includes:

• Engaging with First Nations to commission and install a publicly accessible, highly visible residential schools monument in Fredericton to honour survivors and all the children who did not survive residential schools.
  
  
• Agreements between the Department of Education and all First Nations for curriculum development and the history of residential schools.
  
  
• Education Support Services has provided all documentation with videos to First Nations families in their mother tongue.
  
  
• Topics such as the history of Indian Residential and Indian Day Schools, treaties and historical legislation land claims, language and culture and current issues facing First Nations in New Brunswick are being included in learning modules for students from kindergarten to Grade 12. Professional learning opportunities on indigenous histories, traditions and current realities have been provided to all school personnel.
  
  
• Training public servants to have greater understanding and awareness. For example, correctional staff, probation officers and victim service co-ordinators receive cultural awareness training and social workers, supervisors, managers, and foster parents who work with children in care receive cultural competency training.
  DAA is also developing new training modules to promote Aboriginal cultural awareness, including topics such as the history of Aboriginal peoples in New Brunswick and residential schools and their impacts.

• MOUs through Opportunities New Brunswick with First Nations in the province to encourage economic development.

We have been making steady progress so far, but there is much work left to complete. Join us on this journey for the betterment of New Brunswick, First Nations communities, and all who call this province home.  

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission identified 94 Calls to Action in its final report in 2015. Thirty-one of those Calls fall under the jurisdiction of the provincial government with some overlap with other government organizations – federal, municipal, territorial and Indigenous.

That 2015 report called on all levels of government, in addition to organizations and residents of Canada in general, to take action to mend the legacy of the residential schools and advance the process of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) began its work on June 1, 2008. The TRC mandate describes reconciliation as “an ongoing individual and collective process, and will require commitment from all those affected including First Nations, Inuit and Métis former Indian Residential School students, their families, communities, religious entities, former school employees, government and the people of Canada.” 

While the path to reconciliation is a collective journey for New Brunswickers and Canadians, there are ways to make progress individually.

The First Nations Child & Caring Society has excellent resources on this topic.

Spirit Bear's Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action

Website to help track progress on commission’s calls to action

New Brunswick ends birth alert practice in support of reconciliation

Update on Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action

For a list of frequently asked question