10th Anniversary of the TRC Final Reports

Press Release

May 28, 2025

It’s been 10 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada released its Final Reports and 94 Calls to Action. This June, we reflect on the impacts of residential schools, how far we’ve come, and how far we still need to go.

What was the TRC?

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established in 2008 as part of the Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Its purpose was to:

• Document the history and lasting impacts of residential schools
• Provide a safe space for Survivors to share their stories
• Promote public education and awareness
• Lay the foundation for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples

The TRC spent 6 years travelling to all parts of Canada and heard from more than 6,500 witnesses, many of whom were residential school Survivors. In 2015, the TRC released its Final Reports, along with 94 Calls to Action to guide Canada’s path toward reconciliation.

What are the 94 Calls to Action?

The 94 Calls to Action are recommendations made by the TRC for governments, institutions, and individuals to address the negative impacts of residential schools and advance meaningful reconciliation.They cover areas like:

• Child Welfare
• Education
• Language & Culture
• Justice
• Health

What Calls to Action have Been Completed?

10 years later, some progress has been made; however, only 15 of the 94 Calls to Action have been fulfilled.Some of the completed calls include:13. Acknowledge that Indigenous rights include Indigenous language rights15. Appoint an Indigenous Languages Commissioner16. Create university and college degree and diploma programs in Indigenous languages39. Collect and publish data on the criminal victimization of Indigenous people41. Appoint a public inquiry into the cause of, and remedies for, the disproportionate victimization of Indigenous women and girls59. Church parties to the Settlement Agreement to educate congregations on why apologies are necessary70. A national review of archival policies80. Establish a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday83. Canada Council for the Arts to establish a strategy for Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists to undertake collaborative projects84. Restore and increase funding to the CBC/Radio-Canada to enable it to support reconciliation85. Aboriginal Peoples Television Network to support reconciliation88. Continued support for the North American Indigenous Games94. Replace the Oath of CitizenshipThere is more work to be done.

Key Developments Since 2015

While the 94 Calls to Action remain a key framework for reconciliation, other important steps have also been taken over the past 10 years:

• Indigenous Child Welfare Reform (2024) – Canada is working to address Indigenous child welfare, including a settlement for discriminatory underfunding of First Nations child and family services.
• Papal Apology (2022) – Pope Francis travelled to Canada and issued an apology for the Catholic Church’s role in residential schools.
• Implementation of UNDRIP (2021) – Canada passed legislation in 2021 to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• MMIWG2S+ Inquiry (2019) – National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released their Final Report.
• Indigenous Languages Act (2019) – The Indigenous Languages Act was introduced to help revitalize Indigenous languages. This piece of legislation aims to support and preserve Indigenous Languages.
• Representation in Government and Media – As of 2025, there has been an increase in Indigenous representation in government and media, providing opportunities to amplify Indigenous voices.

These milestones show that reconciliation is happening on many fronts—but the Calls to Action remain an essential guide for ongoing progress.

How you can Help

Reconciliation is a shared responsibility, and there’s more work to be done. Here are some ideas on how you can help:

• Educate Yourself: Read, watch, and listen to Indigenous-led work.
• Challenge Stereotypes: Speak up against racism and misinformation.
• Support Indigenous Initiatives: Walk for Wenjack, add your event to our calendar, or bring reconciliation to your school or workplace.
• Corporate Commitment: Companies can build respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities by committing to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent and sharing the long-term benefits of economic projects. Ensure Indigenous peoples have fair access to education, employment, and leadership opportunities.

The TRC laid out a path toward reconciliation. It’s up to all of us to keep walking it. Let’s build the next 10 years together.

ILR4