Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and Charlene Belleau, residential school survivor and B.C. First Nations community liaison lead, have released the following statement in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s closing ceremony and the release of its final report, including the 94 Calls to Action:

“Ten years ago, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) released its six-volume final report to a room full of residential school survivors, their families and witnesses. It was a ceremony recognizing the truth and laying out the path to a better Canada.

“For more than 30 years, Indigenous leaders and survivors have blazed the trails in criminal, civil and numerous national and provincial initiatives to share their truth and seek justice for their children that never came home from Indian residential schools and Indian hospitals.

“Today, in the of face rising Indigenous-specific racism, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Indigenous Peoples and allies to reject Indian residential school denialism in all its forms and recommit to actively challenge and prevent misinformation, hate, harassment, minimization and distortion.

“The steady rise of residential school denialism in B.C. is deeply concerning. The TRC concluded that residential schools were a system of cultural genocide. Thousands of children died or never returned home, and survivors live with intergenerational trauma that continues to impact generations today.

“Denialism seeks to erase or distort the truth of residential schools and the lived experiences of survivors and their families. It undermines reconciliation and it hurts everyone, especially those who should be supported to heal.

“The Calls to Action provide a clear path for all levels of government to work together and repair the harm caused by residential schools, and to prevent further harms from happening in the future.

“Now, 10 years on, this moment is an opportunity for reflection and renewed commitment. It is important to note that when commemorating the work of the TRC, we also honour the decades of work and advocacy by Indigenous leaders that led to the creation of the TRC and the ongoing work that builds upon these foundations.

“Since 2015, we have seen meaningful change and progress across this country, and here in B.C.

“New graduation requirements ensure all students in B.C. expand their knowledge about Indigenous perspectives, histories and cultures.

“First Nations are revitalizing and preserving their languages, traditional knowledge and cultural heritage so that they can be passed on to future generations.

“Children and families are staying together in community and culture, as First Nations governments exercise jurisdiction over child and family services.

“The B.C. First Nations Justice Council and the Province have established 15 Indigenous justice centres to provide culturally appropriate legal support for Indigenous people.

“Advancing reconciliation through these Calls to Action is a collective responsibility, and while progress has been made, there remains much more to do. Although it is a day for reflection, it is also a day to call for action.

“We call on all entities that have any records to provide access as communities search for missing children. The Province is working proactively with partners to expedite the review, digitization and release of priority records. Making these records available to communities and survivors is an important part of truth-telling, especially to find the missing children and to preserve the full historical record of the residential school experience.

“As countless Indigenous leaders have reminded us: there is no reconciliation without truth. Truth-telling about the history and ongoing impacts of colonialism, residential schools, anti-Indigenous racism and systemic discrimination is essential to building a future grounded in justice and respect.

“Now, more than ever, we must lean in. The divisive and harmful rhetoric accentuates the fact that much work remains. We will continue the fundamental work toward reconciliation as laid out by the TRC. We will continue building a province where every person in British Columbia can feel safe and respected, no matter who they are.”

Support services are available:

A national Indian residential school crisis line has been set up to provide support for former residential school students and those affected. Access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.

The KUU-US Crisis Line Society:

• Crisis services for Indigenous people in B.C. are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free throughout the province at: 1-800-588-8717
• Alternatively, individuals can call the adult/Elders line at 250-723-4050 or the children/youth line at 250-723-2040
• More information: www.kuu-uscrisisline.com

Métis Crisis Line:

• A service provided by Métis Nation British Columbia
• Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free throughout the Province at 1-833-638-4722

Learn More:

To find more information about provincial progress on implementing the TRC’s Calls to Action and the efforts government is making to create a safe and healthy B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/new-relationship/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-calls-to-action

To read the TRC’s six-volume final report, including the 94 Calls to Action, visit: https://nctr.ca/publications-and-reports/reports/#trc-reports

Sugarcane, a documentary filmed in B.C., brings the audience along as an ongoing investigation led by the Williams Lake First Nation uncovers the devastating legacy of the former St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School: https://films.nationalgeographic.com/sugarcane