The difference between the treaties signed by indigenous people and the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report can be summed up in one word: “reciprocity.”
Historically, reciprocity has been a fundamental principle in agreements and treaties between nations, dating back thousands of years to the Hammurabi Code. The treaties between indigenous people and the Canadian government more than a century ago were based on trust, cooperation, and reciprocity.
For example, the 1876 Treaty 6 between the Queen and the Plain and Wood Cree Indians included provisions for schools and the right to hunt and fish on crown land. These agreements required reciprocal obligations from both parties.
In contrast, the Calls to Action in the TRC Report demand that the federal government provide funding and support for indigenous communities without requiring any reciprocal obligations from them. This lack of reciprocity has the potential to create resentment and hinder true reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.
To achieve genuine reconciliation, both groups must respect and trust each other, and reciprocity must be embedded in the calls to action. The book “From Truth Comes Reconciliation: An Assessment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report” advocates for a shift towards a more reciprocal approach in responding to the Calls to Action.
5 books are available for purchase on Amazon.ca.
Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and may not align with those of The Epoch Times.
