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THERE WERE THREE FOUNDING PEOPLES OF CANADA

Phil Fontaine, residential school survivor, is former chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

It’s been quite a ride since we kicked off the Recognition2Action.ca campaign a little over two months ago.

Here are five exciting signs of progress so far: 

"While the discriminatory remarks of the Canadian public on Indigenous issues in online media comment sections and many social media demonstrate a general lack of knowledge of Indigenous histories, they are equally indicative of how much more Canadians need to learn about Indigenous issues and Indigenous peoples' historical and contemporary relationships with Canada and (other) Canadians." - Tracy Bear

Recognition2Action.ca is a civic engagement campaign to educate people about the role Indigenous peoples have played in founding Canada.

This project is being carried out in collaboration with a broad network of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous organizations and individuals who have articulated statements of support.

On this page, you will find some additional resources, images and videos you can share.

Key Resources

1. Canada's 3 Founding Nations - Phil Fontaine

2. Melina Laboucan-Massimo: The TRC was the first step of many many steps of a journey; of healing this place we now call Canada." The Truth and Reconciliation process "is Canadians relearning the history of the country that they now call Canada."

3. Kathleen Mahoney, “The roadblock to reconciliation: "Canada’s origin story is false”.

4. Assembly of First Nations: 2016 Annual General Assembly. July 12, 13, & 14, 2016; Niagara Falls Ontario. Resolution no. 60/2016.

5. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.

6. Weaponizing History for Reconciliation: Kamloops archeologist Joanna Hammond on the concrete manifestations of Indigenous history on Turtle Island: The land is crawling with reminders of Indigenous peoples occupation since time immemorial.

7. Perry Bellegarde on recognizing this land's founding Indigenous peoples.

8. Michael Enright: Canada had three founding peoples, not two.

9. Bob Rae: How to turn Canada 150 into a celebration for everyone.

10. Draft Recognition legislation from the Recognition2Action campaign.

Images (click on the images to share)

Summary: Kathleen Mahoney breaks down the legal case for legislation that clearly establishes Indigenous peoples' status as founders of Canada. Professor Mahoney is a leading human rights legal expert and renowned for her work on the historic settlement agreement between the Government of Canada and Aboriginal residential school survivors.

Senator Lynn Beyak has been removed from the Senate’s Aboriginal peoples committee! Thank you for helping hold politicians accountable and let’s use this momentum in recognizing Indigenous Peoples as equal founders of Canada - keep up the good work, everyone!

Add your voice at recognition2action.ca/mp

Stratos

“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." 

“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." 

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