The role Indigenous peoples played in founding Canada

Indigenous people have not received recognition for their contributions to building Canada. The idea that our nation was founded exclusively by the British and French is harmful, unfair and incomplete.

The Indigenous peoples of Canada were the first to govern this land. They were on this land for thousands of years before Confederation and played a pivotal role in the founding of Canada.

A country cannot be built on an incomplete history. Now is the time to effect change.

Now is the time to protect and promote Indigenous languages, cultures, history and traditions.

Now is the time to respect the inherent right of Indigenous peoples to develop, maintain and strengthen their relationship with their lands and waters.

Now is the time to complete the story of our nation.

Now is the time for Canadians to stand up and turn recognition into action.

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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.

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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: