Wednesday, September 15, 2021

94 Quilt: Blocks 64 - 71

I acknowledge that I am living on unceded territory of Anishinaabeg (Source: Canadian Encyclopedia) on the shore of erielhonan, (Iroquoian word meaning 'long tail') now called Lake Erie.

The post that explains my 94Quilt project is here.  Since July 1 I've been making a flying geese block a day as I read one of the 94 Calls to Action, its accompanying explanations and progress report, and links that go with each one.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is the main website with a wealth of information.
Beyond 94 is the CBC-created site that is an ongoing report card monitoring how we are doing with the calls.

Reconciliation

64. Require publicly-funded denominational schools to teach comparative religious studies including Aboriginal spiritual beliefs. 
Not started.
  • The original Call wording specifies "spiritual beliefs and practices in collaboration with Aboriginal elders."
  • According to Beyond 94, although there are some schools who do teach this, few were compiled with guidance and input from Indigenous elders. 
  • You can read specifics for each province's implementation of this Call on Beyond 94. Again, here is yet another example where education is under provincial jurisdiction, so when Singh continually says he will "immediately implement all 94 Calls," he either has 'forgotten' or 'doesn't know' that education is not under federal jurisdiction, so good luck making provinces do this 'immediately'.


65. Establish a national research program with multi-year funding to advance understanding of reconciliation.
In progress. Projects proposed.
  • In 2017, the Canada Research Coordinating Committee was created.
  • In 2018, the budget committed $3.8 million to developing a plan.
  • In January 2020, they, in conjunction with the four national councils that they now coordinate, released a strategic 3-year plan on how to do research with Indigenous communities.
  • It did not, commit to multi-year funding.


66. Establish multi-year funding for youth organizations to deliver programs on reconciliation.
In progress. Projects underway.
  • In 2017, in response to this call Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett appointed three independent youth advisors to gain insight into the needs of Indigenous youth.
  • In 2018, the Ministry launched the online Indigenous Youth Survey. These three youths compiled results from the survey, and then released their Roadmap to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #66 to the government.
  • $15.2 million over three years was allocated in the 2019 budget to support Indigenous youth reconciliation initiatives. This is delivered by a non-profit existing organization, Canadian Roots Exchange.


67. A national review of museum policies and best practices.
In progress. Projects underway.
  • This is to be done in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples.
  • This is to be done to determine compliance with UNDRIP.
  • In 2019, Canadian Heritage announced funding provided to the museums to undertake this project, which they estimate will take two years.
  • A report is expected in Fall 2021.


68. Mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation with a funding program for commemoration projects on theme of reconciliation.
Not started.
  • "A national funding programme was created to mark Canada's 150th anniversary. But it was created in May 2015 by the prior federal government, not in collaboration with Indigenous peoples, and not exclusively to fund projects on the theme of reconciliation." (Beyond 94)
  • In 2016 the Liberal government doubled its funding but did not change the focus to reconciliation.
  • Funding for the projects concluded in April 2018.


69. Library and Archives Canada to adopt UNDRIP, ensure records on residential schools accessible to public.
In progress. Projects proposed.
  • In June 2016 the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) signed an agreement with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation confirming the preservation of and public access to the records of the TRC on the residential schools.
  • In April 2019 the LAC issued an Indigenous Heritage Action Plan which acknowledges the Calls applicable to its institution.
  • Not all records are accessible to the public ("restricted") and have to be obtained through filing an Access to Information Request (they do provide instructions as to how to file this form).
  • The 2017 budget provided $14.9 million to develop an Aboriginal Oral Testimonies Project which would document Indigenous heritage, but to date it has not been developed.

70. National review of archival policies.
Complete.



71. Records on the deaths of Aboriginal children in residential schools to go to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
In progress. Projects proposed.
"Following Discoveries of unmarked burial sites near former residential schools in 2021, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Director of the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at the University of British Columbia, said there are ‘massive ongoing problems’ in accessing historical records, including those ‘held by certain Catholic entities that they will not release.’”


Sites, Articles, Books of Interest
The non-profit organization I previously mentioned is one I just learned about, and it is worth clicking on its site, Canadian Roots Exchange, CRE, to learn more about the excellent work this group does.

In real life time, my quilt has eight of the ten columns together. but you'll have to wait until next week to see it as it takes me past block 71. Those observant types may have noticed the new background in one of these blocks; I do not have enough of the Moda one, so had to sprinkle in some of this which is quite similar, especially when the blocks are sewn together.

3 comments:

  1. Sandra, this project and all I'm learning are so moving. I'm both sad and furious that similar efforts have not been undertaken here in the U.S.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jay, My email bounced back from your inbox, so I thought it worth pasting here, and I do hope you see it...
      Well, I am so glad you're learning! I've long been a quiet ally of Indigenous peoples. Their spirituality, connection to the Earth and respect for all humans sits well with my soul. :-) However, I didn't know WHAT to do about it until I took Indigenous Canada, the course at my alma mater (yay) University of Alberta. Dan Levy, of Schitt's Creek fame, promoted it last summer when we were all in lockdown. I took it and it really really taught me sooooo much. It's free and anyone in the entire world can take it. We had people from everywhere around the globe, so cool, the connections. I was so impressed by the respect and simple stating of facts and perspectives without admonishment or anger on the part of the professors and presenters and guest speakers. Learning about these Calls was something an ally can do, as suggested by Chief Cadmus Delorme of Cowessess First Nations where 751 (that number still just shatters me) unmarked graves were found earlier this year. He said every Canadian should read these Calls. The CBC spent a year developing the Beyond 94 site that evalutaes the work that has been done and sends you to all these other sites and links and articles. It's just such a terrific, well-planned, right up to date, site. And this Conservative leader of the party that is waaaay too similar to your Reps under the t-rump person, would defund and dismantle the English CBC if they get in with a majority. Another heinous thing in their platform, that the leader has now softened and said well, we'll review the CBC. Yeah right.

      I'm very worried. The Cons record on Indigenous affairs is abysmal. Yes, the Liberals haven't done enough, but most of the calls have had a start, funding, and some, sadly only 13, have been completed. More focus is now upon the residential 'schools' upon which many many of the Calls focus, so maybe more work will be done if the Liberals do get back in.
      Anyhow! Didn't mean to go on there. But thank you for saying this and writing this. We have done such a disservice to Turtle Island's Indigenous peoples who were so willing to share with our ancestors...

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  2. You are teaching us so much, and I am so grateful for it.

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