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Dont let Indigenous rights be swept aside during this election

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Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
Written by editor
Don’t let Indigenous rights be swept aside during this election r1 ... Election 2021 Dear Friend,

This was supposed to be Canada’s big moment of reckoning.

In June, news about unmarked graves of hundreds of children at former Indian Residential Schools confronted Canadians with horrific truths about the country’s violent past and present. Across the country, there were waves of anger, grief, and reflection, as the public came face to face with the realities of colonialism and genocide.

By now, more than 5,000 unmarked graves have been identified. But, with less than a week remaining in the federal election campaign, conversations about justice for Indigenous peoples have been mostly absent on the campaign trail.

While the platforms of all the main political parties contain promises on Indigenous affairs, the party leaders’ election debates, daily policy announcements, and media interviews have been dominated by other social issues. There have been few substantive conversations about the parties’ plans towards true and honest reconciliation.

As you speak to your local candidates during this election, we urge you to ask them about their plans and commitments for addressing the systemic injustices that Indigenous peoples face.

Here are some key questions you can ask:
  1. Have you read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action?
  2. What will you do to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action?
  3. How will you act on the recommendations from the Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls?
  4. What will you do to ensure the federal government provides adequate support for Indian Residential School survivors?
  5. What will you do to educate the public about the legacy of Indian Residential Schools and ensure an Indigenous-led process of public commemoration?
Read more of our analysis and background on these questions here. Read more Canada is far from a state of reconciliation – we are still collectively learning truths about the legacy of the Indian Residential School system and the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous relations. This federal election, let’s vote for candidates who are serious about ending these injustices.

In solidarity,

Christina Warner and Ravi Joshi, Interim Co-Executive Directors

P.S. If you’d like a printed copy of all our key questions for candidates – on climate, water, long-term care, Big Pharma, and electoral reform – check out our pamphlet (aussi disponible en français). Help support our work! Our team is busy creating online resources with key questions for candidates and background to support this work. We’ll also lend a hand in writing letters to editors, and host calls and conversations with our Chapters and members to make sure they have what they need. r71 | Add us to your address book Facebook Twitter Instagram Website Copyright © 2021 Council of Canadians, All rights reserved.
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