YCR Honours the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The YCR team recognizes and honours the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR).

NDTR – September 30^th each year – is a day to honour and commemorate the victims and survivors of residential schools, as well as the Indigenous families and communities impacted by their legacy.

NDTR was first recognized by the federal government in 2021 and results from the guidance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. Call to Action 80 urged government to create a statutory day for commemorating the impacts of residential schools. Orange Shirt Day, which was initiated in 2013, is also observed on September 30^th.

The Importance of the NDTR

Residential schools – government-sponsored religious schools formed to assimilate Indigenous children – operated in Canada from the 1880s until 1996. An estimated 150,000 children were forced into attending residential schools across the country, with around 6,000 never coming home.

The abuse and trauma suffered by Indigenous children in residential schools had lasting impacts on them and their families. The impacts from residential schools – as well as the overarching effects of colonialism on Indigenous communities – are still present today.

On September 30^th, we recognize the NDTR “to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

To learn more about residential schools and their legacy, visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website.

Reconciliation & Resources

As a result of the legacy of colonialism in Canada, Indigenous peoples across the country face major socio-economic gaps as compared to other Canadians. Many Indigenous communities have lower median incomes, higher rates of poverty, poorer health outcomes, and lower levels of education than non-Indigenous communities.

The process of reconciliation between Canada and Indigenous peoples involves many aspects, and can be roughly defined as “building a renewed relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis based on the recognition of rights, respect and partnership”.

One way in which Canada works towards reconciliation with Indigenous communities is through natural resource development.

According to the Indigenous Resource Network, “in Canada’s ongoing journey towards reconciliation, there exists a transformative opportunity to reshape the relationship between Indigenous communities, Canada’s federal government and industry.” This “transformative opportunity” is Indigenous ownership in resource projects.

Giving Indigenous communities the opportunity to participate in natural resource development offers a number of advantages that advance the ongoing process of reconciliation, including:

• Providing equity ownership in lucrative, long-term resource projects that deliver millions in revenue
• Supplying jobs and training, which is especially beneficial to rural Indigenous communities where there are few high-paying job opportunities
• Allowing Indigenous communities to influence key decisions regarding cultural preservation and environmental stewardship

In the past, resource development in Canada didn’t adequately include Indigenous communities. However, in the last number of years, Indigenous equity and involvement in resource projects across various sectors has shown a marked increase.

For example, take the proposed Cedar LNG and Ksi Lisims LNG projects. Both are major projects (we’re talking multi-billion dollar, decades-long deals) that have involved local Indigenous communities in meaningful ways. The Haisla Nation have a 50.1% equity stake in Cedar LNG, while the Nisga’a Nation are one of the three partners in Ksi Lisims LNG.

Though each Indigenous community has its own unique view on natural resource development, giving communities the opportunity to meaningfully participate in resource extraction and economic growth is a critical component of reconciliation.

Indigenous resource leadership is reconciliation.

To learn more about how Indigenous communities are using natural resource projects to improve their socio-economic outcomes and foster self-sufficiency, check out the Indigenous Resource Network.