Justice and Memorial

Justice and Memorialization are important because they help both parties reconcile and remember past conflicts when addressing contemporary issues.

The Government of Canada alongside its citizens are working towards reconciling with the Indigenous people through acknowledgement or past events and taking responsibility for them.

Examples of Justice and Memorial for Indigenous persecution in Canada

• In 2007, Residential School victims were given financial compensation. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was also established to preserve the memory of these institutions and educate the public on them and in 2015 they deemed it a cultural genocide.

• In 2007 The United Nations created the Declaration of Indigenous Rights

• In 2008, Prime Minister Steven Harper apologized to students, their families, and communities for the residential school system on behalf of the government.

• In 2014, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police released the National Operational Review on Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women. They identified 1,181 missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canadian police databases.

• In 2015, the REDdress project was an art exhibition held to bring attention to the missing and murdered Indigenous women.

• In 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the legal definition of “Indian” included Métis and non-status Indians. This ruling did not grant status but it helped facilitate possible negotiations over traditional land rights, access to education and health programs. Canada also adopted the Declaration of Indigenous rights.

In addition, Ontario’s premier Kathleen Wynne formally apologizes on behalf of the provincial government for the residential school system and oppressive policies. The province announced a three year investment of $250-million for reconciliation.

• In 2017, the first steps towards the Sixties Scoop lawsuit were taken when Superior Court judge Edward Belobaba ruled in favour of Sixties Scoop victims and found that the government did not take adequate steps to protect the cultural identity of on-reserve children taken away from their homes. The federal government announced an eight-hundred million dollar settlement for the Sixties Scoop survivors. Financial compensation was to start reconciliation.

The Langevin Block in parliament was renamed Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council as form of making amends as the block was named after Sir Hector-Louis Langevin who had a major role in the residential school systems.

The Sayisi Dene reclaimed part of their traditional territory when the Manitoba government gave them an area near Little Duck Lake to turn into a reserve.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized to the Survivors of residential schools in Newfoundland and Labrador because they were excluded in Stephen Harper’s 2008 apology since they were not run by the federal government and were established before Newfoundland joined the Confederation in 1949. Survivor Toby Obed accepted Trudeau’s apology on behalf of his community. However, Gregory Rich, Innu Nation Grand Chief, did not accept the apology because it was too narrow.

• In 2018, on 26 March, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau exonerated the Tsilhqot'in chiefs of any wrongdoing. On November 2, Trudeau formally apologized for the incident.

• In 2019, Bill C-369 was passed to make September 30 a statutory holiday called “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.” The holiday is also known as “Orange Shirt Day.” The holiday is meant to honor those who were forced into residential schools.