Frequently Asked Questions: Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action

Why has B.C. adopted the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action?

B.C. will work in partnership with Indigenous communities to create a joint vision of reconciliation.

The TRC’s final report provides an important historical record of the experiences of residential school survivors and the inter-generational and ongoing impacts on their families.

The 94 calls to action provide a road map to acknowledge and address the legacy of residential school trauma and develop a vision of reconciliation for British Columbians based on mutual respect.

Recommendations are directed at:

• Federal, provincial, municipal and Indigenous governments,
• Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities,
• Post-secondary institutions,
• Health care institutions
• Faith-based institutions,
• Media organizations, and
• Members of the corporate sector.

What has the B.C. government done so far to implement the TRC’s Calls to Action?

All provincial ministers have been tasked with finding ways to implement the calls to action in B.C.

Reconciliation touches upon all social, economic and cultural aspects of individuals and communities’ well-being and includes Indigenous governance and jurisdiction.

The work to implement the calls to action is a cross-government accountability.

The Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation has been tasked with engaging with counterparts in all ministries to ensure staff understand the priority of this work.

Where the calls to action are federally focused, B.C. will work with the federal government to move the calls to action forward.

The Government of British Columbia introduced the Draft Principles that Guide the Province of British Columbia’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples to help guide the work of implementing the calls to action.

How are the United Nation’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN declaration) and the TRC’s Calls to Action linked?

The UN declaration is an international human rights instrument endorsed by 148 nations across the world.

The TRC Calls to Action are specific to Canada and are focused on reparations for the historical and ongoing damage caused by the residential school system.

Both focused on improving the rights and well-being of Indigenous peoples, covering areas such as child welfare, education, language and culture, health, social and economic outcomes and justice.

The TRC embraced UN declaration as “the framework” to address the human rights violations that have been inflicted on Indigenous peoples throughout Canada’s history.

The 94 calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report include the call for all levels of government to undertake measures to implement the UN declaration.

Where can I find out more information about B.C.’s work toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples?

Further information on government’s work with Indigenous peoples can be found in other parts of our website.

The Draft Principles that Guide the Province of British Columbia’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples guides the B.C. government’s work with Indigenous people.

Further specific information on the provincial government’s work with Indigenous people can be found on individual ministry and agency websites.