Today marks the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation since the federal government made it a statutory holiday. The last 12 months have borne witness to a series of tragic, and hopeful, moments in Canada’s effort for reconciliation with Indigenous communities. The tragedy and trauma of residential schools were laid bare with the uncovering of mass graves. While for many, the Pope’s apology was a long-coming recognition of past wrongs.

This month also marked another important anniversary: 15 years of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The landmark declaration directs countries to work with Indigenous communities to ensure that their land, cultural and human rights are preserved.

Canada, like other countries with a dark settler colonial history, was initially resistant to the declaration. But, in the years since UNDRIP was adopted, the country has made progress. Last year, the federal government passed legislation designed to bring Canadian law in line with UNDRIP. Canada’s Declaration Act calls on Ottawa to ensure that Canadian laws are consistent with the UN Declaration and to do so in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples. While that signifies a step in the right direction, much more still needs to be done. And experts warn that without proper consultation, the government risks perpetuating a damaging colonial legacy.

Today, in The Conversation Canada, UBC professor Sheryl Lightfoot and Cheryl Knockwood, Chair of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, discuss the vital importance of legislative reform and equal participation in the reconciliation process. The federal government has announced plans to review a host of laws with potentially far-reaching consequences for Indigenous communities. Yet, as Lightfoot and Knockwood explain, there remains little clarity on the role of Indigenous Peoples in the review process.

“Meaningful participation and consent are the minimum standards required of all governments,” they write. “As we mark 15 years of the UN Declaration, the federal government must live up to its principles.”

Also today:

All the best.

Ibrahim Daair

Assistant Editor, Culture + Society

An Indigenous flag flies in front of Parliament during the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Sept. 30, 2021. To live up to the intentions of UNDRIP, Canada must work with Indigenous communities to change harmful laws. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

UNDRIP 15 years on: Genuine truth and reconciliation requires legislative reform

Sheryl Lightfoot, University of British Columbia

To fully implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Canada must engage in genuine and inclusive law reform.

Police remove encampment supporters as they clear the Lamport Stadium Park homeless encampment in Toronto in July 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Who is ‘the public?’ The answer shapes how we address homelessness

Timothy Martin, York University, Canada

The redefining of ‘the public’ is a helpful step toward listening to those who have experienced homelessness.

Canada’s current social assistance programs are not doing enough to support Canadians. (Shutterstock)

Better income assistance programs are needed to help people with rising cost of living

Wayne Simpson, University of Manitoba

Canada’s current income assistance programs are not doing enough to support Canadians. If the goal of temporary assistance is to help those in need, these programs must have better, broader coverage.

The growth of Islamic banks provides Muslims living in North America with options that reflect their beliefs. (Shutterstock)

Islamic finance provides an alternative to debt-based systems

Daromir Rudnyckyj, University of Victoria

Shariah law informs financial contracts and credit systems, and the growth of Islamic financing options provides an alternative to current debt-based banking systems.

La Conversation Canada

Quebec Solidaire leader Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois greets supporters as he arrives for a leaders debate in Montreal, Thursday, September 22, 2022. Quebecers will go to the polls on October 3rd. La Presse canadienne/Paul Chiasson

Québec solidaire ira-t-il chercher le vote des électeurs de gauche fédéralistes ?

Frédérick Guillaume Dufour, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM); François Tanguay, Université de Montréal

La gauche fédéraliste québécoise se retrouve sans horizon inspirant sur l’échiquier fédéral comme provincial. Pour qui leur vote penchera le 3 octobre ?

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