Who are Canada’s First People’s?
Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Metis and Inuit) are the first inhabitants of Kanata (Canada)
Canada’s First Nations have been in the country we now call Canada for at least 12,000 years, perhaps much longer. For almost all that time, they survived very well in a harsh environment, making everything they needed without polluting the water, or air, and without destroying the land or decimating the animal populations.
Each First Nation had self-government and recognized the sovereignty of other First Nations. They all developed unique systems of government, and complex material cultures (tools, clothing, shelter, transportation, etc.)
Most First Nations of Canada lived mainly from hunting and fishing. They migrated seasonally to get food. They did not wander aimlessly. They moved their camps from season to season to specific places and areas where they knew there would be food. In one season, they would hunt large animals; in another they would fish; in the fall they would gather berries, and so on.
The only farming people were the Iroquois and Hurons, and related tribes, in what is now southern Ontario.
Canada’s First Nations all had complex social systems, with several levels of government based on the family, the band or clan, and the nation or tribe. Their leaders, or Chiefs, were chosen in different ways, but were always people who had special leadership qualities that brought them respect from their people.
In most First Nations, a council of elders advised the Chief, and decisions were made by consensus, which means that the council would discuss a matter of importance, and then would make a decision that the majority agreed on.
First Nations recognized each other as sovereign nations, and made friendship treaties, or military alliances with each other. Some nations were traditional enemies, and went through periods of war or peace.
First Nations people were very religious, and respectful of the Great Spirit, and other spirits that they believe inhabited the land and animals all around them.
First Nations people were taught, from the time they were very young, to respect and give thanks to the animals, birds, plants, and the land and water that gave them all the things that they depended on to stay alive.
Goldi Productions Ltd. 2007
Why Truth and Reconciliation matter?
“For over a century, the central goals of Canada’s Aboriginal policy were to eliminate Aboriginal governments; ignore Aboriginal rights; terminate the Treaties; and, through a process of assimilation, cause Aboriginal peoples to cease to exist as distinct legal, social, cultural, religious, and racial entities in Canada. The establishment and operation of residential schools were a central element of this policy, which can best be described as “cultural genocide.”
Honouring the Truth, Reconciling the Future: Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
What Is Reconciliation?
Is hanging Indigenous art in an office “reconciliation?”
In this web series called “First Things First,” Indigenous experts take a look at what it really means to reconcile after generations of systemic racism against Indigenous peoples. Indigenous educators Pamela Palmater (Professor & Chair of Indigenous Governance), Eddy Robinson (Keynote Speaker & Indigenous Educator), and Cindy Blackstock (Executive Director, First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada) have their say.
What is Indigenous Watchdog?
Indigenous Watchdog is a provincially registered non-profit dedicated to monitoring and reporting on how reconciliation is advancing on the critical issues that are impacting the Indigenous world – including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. The TRC emphasized education as the foundation for raising awareness on what needs to happen to make true reconciliation a success. Indigenous Watchdog delivers answers to these and other questions that are easy to find, are transparent, comprehensive and real?
- What is the current status of each of the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and other critical Indigenous issues?
- What have federal, provincial and territory governments committed and with what specific actions and, when available, with what budget and timelines?
- How have the designated stakeholders accountable for addressing and resolving specific Calls to Action responded? With what actions? By when?
- How have the national Indigenous advocacy organizations responded to specific Calls to Action and stakeholder commitments?
Eight-plus years after the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Summary Report in June 2015, “Reconciliation” has stalled.
There is limited visibility from an Indigenous lens into what is happening that will keep the numerous issues current, visible, and that will hold governments, associations and institutional stakeholders accountable.
What is the Mission of Indigenous Watchdog?
The mission of Indigenous Watchdog is to deliver relevant quality information on Indigenous issues to educate, inform and ultimately transform the dialogue between Indigenous and non – Indigenous Canadians into ACTION. The main focus is primarily on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
By curating and delivering substantive, quality information, Indigenous Watchdog will advance reconciliation with all stakeholder groups through a commitment to transparency, accuracy and independence.
How can we help?
As human beings, we are invited to walk alongside this effort. We can choose to listen to Indigenous voices for understanding what happened. We can learn from them, engage with their stories, and share them within our own circles.