A recent report by the non-profit First Nations advocacy group “First Light” claims that the government of Newfoundland and Labrador has made limited progress on several calls to action outlined by the National Center of Truth and Reconciliation (TRC). The findings, which are elaborated upon in the report, focus on areas such as education, civil oversight of policing, and the implementation of policies outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
In the context of education, the report advocates for reforms including the development of a K-12 curriculum that emphasizes Indigenous history and the necessity for postsecondary institutions to provide thorough information about Newfoundland’s Indigenous peoples. When addressing civil oversight of policing, the report suggests the establishment of a civilian oversight board and the appointment of an Indigenous liaison to better facilitate communication between communities and law enforcement.
As a signatory to UNDRIP, the Canadian government is expected to comply with its provisions and to work on rectifying past injustices. Currently, there is proposed federal legislation that mandates all government departments to align their actions with UNDRIP principles.
Notably, the report acknowledges some progress by the Newfoundland and Labrador government in establishing local organizations that address Indigenous health and justice concerns, as well as the needs of Indigenous peoples in urban areas.
In response to the report, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Scott Reid expressed an openness to collaborate on identified priority areas, as highlighted in an interview with local media.
Launched after the 2007 residential school settlement, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada issued 94 calls to action to address the harms inflicted on Indigenous peoples through forced assimilation by governmental and religious organizations. The responsibilities of the TRC have been transferred to the National Center of Truth and Reconciliation, which continues to monitor the progress of these calls to action.