Legislation that formally acknowledges Indigenous peoples’ history and their role in founding Canada will allow for Canada to reconcile its past, laying a strong, hopeful, and inclusive foundation for a new relationship between settlers and Indigenous peoples.

This is YOUR campaign toolbox -  BE LOUD. TAKE ACTION!

Thank you for calling on the Minister of Justice to take the next step!

Please help set the record straight by sharing this campaign with your network: 

Post to Facebook ► Share on Twitter ► 

Our campaign is growing, but we need your help. Please chip in below: 

You can read Jody Wilson-Raybould’s strong op-ed here for more information.

The government released the following principles of recognition with Indigenous Peoples, drawing on your call for Recognition of the role Indigenous Peoples have played in founding Canada: 

“The Government of Canada recognizes that Indigenous self-government is part of Canada’s evolving system of cooperative federalism and distinct orders of government […] Nation-to-nation, government-to-government, and Inuit-Crown relationships, including treaty relationships, therefore include: (a) developing mechanisms and designing processes which recognize that Indigenous peoples are foundational to Canada’s constitutional framework.” 

Let’s encourage the Minister of Justice in her important work and ensure the Government stops nothing short of legal recognition. 

Legislation that formally acknowledges Indigenous peoples as founding nations of Canada will allow for Canada to reconcile its past, laying a strong, hopeful, and inclusive foundation for a new relationship between settlers and Indigenous peoples

Email the Honourable Minister of Justice now!

Hello Cool World

Drawing Wisdom

FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION FOUNDATION

“In 1996, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples observed, ‘A country cannot be built on a living lie.’ Now is the time, during the Canada 150 activities, to complete the story. The government should adopt legislation that acknowledges that Indigenous peoples are a founding nation of Canada. It’s time for the government to take action and make specific commitments to right this wrong. It’s time to turn recognition to action." 

"The Canadian Government needs to recognize the contributions the native people have made and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 recommendations. Only then will Canadians be truly able to hold their heads up high and declare, "I am a Canadian."

 - Irene Vaughan

"It's as simple as telling the truth. It is undeniable that Canada, as we know it today, would not exist without the Indigenous Nations of this land. We should all consider it unthinkable that they have not been listed among the founders of our country."

 - Amy Van Bergen

This is very important. We'd like to say a big thank you. It’s usually hard to pinpoint how impact happens but we believe the use of this recognition language in this article by Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of Canada Jody Wilson-Raybould has to be from the www.recognition2action.ca campaign. It’s not legislation (yet!) but it gives us a platform to further build towards that:

"I have come to understand that I have been privileged in Canada because I am white. I was on the side that made the rules. I didn't learn racism at home. On the contrary, my immigrant parents had a lot of respect for Native Canadians so I respected them too." - Judith Greenwood