Report finds little progress in indigenous reconciliation

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Despite nearly a decade of government promises to advance reconciliation, many indigenous people say they have seen few meaningful changes in their quality of life, according to a Privy Council report.

“Most did not feel the prioritization of this issue had led to any tangible improvements in the quality of life for Indigenous peoples,” stated the findings from an in-house focus group study.

Blacklock's Reporter says the research, commissioned under a $1.6 million federal contract with The Strategic Counsel, drew input from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis participants in Prairie cities.

Respondents cited persistent issues such as undrinkable tap water, high food costs, inadequate health care access, homelessness, and poor infrastructure.

“It was widely thought that while it was important for the Government of Canada to be highlighting indigenous issues and histories, these efforts needed to be accompanied by clear and measurable action to better the lives of Indigenous peoples,” said the report.

One recurring concern was the lack of clean drinking water in many communities, which several participants highlighted as emblematic of the slow progress.

The report also explored how progress on reconciliation could be measured. Suggestions included improving access to education and employment for Indigenous peoples and tracking key statistics, such as home ownership rates, to document tangible progress.

“A number emphasized the importance for the federal government to provide clear and transparent documentation of all the action it was taking related to reconciliation,” the researchers noted.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who pledged in 2015 to “renew the relationship between Canada and indigenous peoples,” has made symbolic gestures over the years, such as apologizing for historical injustices, including the postwar treatment of Inuit tuberculosis patients and the abuses at residential schools.

However, some indigenous groups have criticized Trudeau’s actions, questioning the sincerity of his government’s commitment.

The Native Women’s Association notably rejected Trudeau’s 2021 apology for past harms after he spent Truth and Reconciliation Day walking on a beach in Tofino, B.C., despite his office initially claiming he was in private meetings in Ottawa.

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