This Resource
The Indexed TRC Calls to Action is a resource that connects the 94 Calls to Action to the relevant parts of the TRC’s Final Report. The indexed pages provide context for the various subdivisions of the Calls to Action. For instance, if you are interested in the first five Calls to Action found under the subheading “Child Welfare,” you can check the “Child Welfare (1-5)” page to locate passages from the Final Report that provide background information for those Calls to Action.
To create the Index Pages, we consulted the indices of the Final Report and conducted our own searches of important terms. This resource is an educational tool designed to enhance the accessibility of the Final Report, promote engagement with the Calls to Action, and thus help further the reconciliation project initiated by the TRC. In the spirit of ongoing dialogue, we welcome you to contact us to contribute to the Indexed TRC Calls to Action. For links to external resources, visit our Resources page.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established in 2008 as a result of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA), the largest class action settlement in Canadian history. Commissioners Justice Murray Sinclair, Dr. Marie Wilson, and Chief Wilton Littlechild held national events, visited communities and gathered documents across the country. Over 7000 witnesses provided statements on their experiences with the residential school system.
In 2015, the TRC published its Final Report and established the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba to preserve the archives collected by the Commission. The comprehensive Final Report constitutes thousands of pages and spans several volumes. In addition, the TRC produced 94 Calls to Action that serve as an instruction guide for continuing the work of reconciliation in the years to come.
The Term “Reconciliation”
The TRC understands “reconciliation” as a continuing process of creating and fostering a relationship between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals based on mutual respect. The TRC advocates that ongoing dialogue and public education are essential for reconciliation. In his preface to the Final Report, Commissioner Chief Wilton Littlechild remarks, “I believe the greatest opportunity for positive change is in lifelong learning, holistic education” (Canada’s Residential Schools: The History, Part 1, page xiii). This site is intended to contribute to the ongoing process of reconciliation by way of facilitating education and dialogue around the TRC’s work.