First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies · Grade 10 · Contemporary Issues and Reconciliation · 4.º Período

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)

Study the findings of the TRC and the 94 Calls to Action aimed at healing the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.

TL;DR:This topic focuses on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and its 94 Calls to Action. Students study the mandate of the TRC to document the history of residential schools and its role in fostering a new relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. The Ontario curriculum emphasizes that reconciliation is an ongoing process, not a single event, and that it requires action from all levels of society.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• E1.1 Explain the significance of the TRC
• E1.2 Analyze the 94 Calls to Action and their implementation

About This Topic

This topic focuses on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and its 94 Calls to Action. Students study the mandate of the TRC to document the history of residential schools and its role in fostering a new relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. The Ontario curriculum emphasizes that reconciliation is an ongoing process, not a single event, and that it requires action from all levels of society.

By analyzing the Calls to Action, students identify specific steps they can take as individuals and future voters to support reconciliation. This unit shifts the focus from learning about the past to taking responsibility for the future. This topic particularly benefits from hands-on, student-centered approaches like collaborative investigations into the progress of the Calls to Action, which help students move from awareness to advocacy.

Key Questions

1. What was the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission?
2. How can individuals and governments implement the Calls to Action?
3. What does meaningful reconciliation look like?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Reconciliation is just about saying 'sorry.'

What to Teach Instead

Reconciliation requires concrete actions to address systemic inequalities and restore Indigenous rights. Tracking the 94 Calls to Action helps students see that an apology is only the first step in a long process of structural change.

Common Misconception

Reconciliation is only the government's responsibility.

What to Teach Instead

The TRC emphasized that reconciliation is a collective responsibility for all Canadians. Peer brainstorming about school-based actions helps students see their own role in the process.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle

Tracking the Calls to Action

Small groups are assigned a theme from the 94 Calls to Action (e.g., Justice, Health, Education). They use online trackers to see which calls have been 'completed,' 'in progress,' or 'not started,' and present a report card to the class.

50 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share

What is 'Meaningful' Reconciliation?

Students reflect on the difference between 'performative' actions (like a social media post) and 'meaningful' actions (like policy change). They pair up to brainstorm three concrete things their school could do to support reconciliation.

25 min·Pairs

Stations Rotation

The TRC Findings

Stations feature different volumes of the TRC report (e.g., The Survivors' Speak, The Métis Experience). Students rotate to find one key quote or fact that changed their understanding of the residential school legacy.

45 min·Small Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the chair of the TRC?

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was chaired by Justice Murray Sinclair, an Anishinaabe lawyer and judge who was the first Indigenous judge in Manitoba. His leadership was instrumental in centering survivor voices throughout the commission's work.

What is the difference between 'Truth' and 'Reconciliation'?

Truth involves acknowledging the full, painful history and ongoing impacts of the residential school system. Reconciliation is the work of healing the relationship and changing the systems that allowed the harm to happen. You cannot have reconciliation without first establishing the truth.

How can active learning help students understand the TRC?

Using a 'report card' style collaborative investigation into the Calls to Action makes the TRC's work feel current and urgent. It moves students from historical study to active citizenship. By evaluating the progress of these calls, students learn to hold institutions accountable and understand that reconciliation requires persistent effort and monitoring.

What is the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)?

UNDRIP is an international document that sets out the minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of Indigenous peoples. The TRC identified UNDRIP as the framework for reconciliation in Canada, and it has since been adopted into Canadian law.