First Voice has released its first annual reconciliation report, and while it does look at some of the progress made, it highlights some significant roadblocks they’ve encountered, particularly as it relates to the provincial government.
The near 100-page report, titled ‘Steps Taken, Miles to Go’, looks at progress made on the 42 calls for change made by the organization 18-months ago.
While none of the calls have been fully achieved, two have been partly achieved, seven have work underway, 21 have early steps taken, and eight have no progress identified.
The report identifies three themes that are hindering the progress of those calls.
The first is gaps in public education. The report states that the general public “lacks a basic understanding of Indigenous peoples” in the province.
The second is inadequate resources. For example, they say they have seen an increased interest in consultation with Indigenous peoples, without the proper funding to implement the recommended changes.
The final theme is what they call a failure to recognize urban Indigenous peoples. First Voice argues that they are “consistently excluded from government efforts to consult with Indigenous organizations.”
The group is now making three priority calls to address those barriers: They want the K-12 curriculum redeveloped to include appropriate content on Indigenous peoples and a discussion on colonialism, implementation of stronger civilian oversight of police services – including the creation of a police oversight board – and the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Director of Advocacy with First Voice, Justin Campbell, says between the Departments of Education and Justice there are 24 recommendations.
He says part of the reasoning behind the report is to highlight what it means to advance truth and reconciliation.
“We should be well beyond the point of….simply expressing good intentions, and saying truth and reconciliation is important.” Campbell says they have been very clear about what this should look like in St. John’s, and about what government needs to do to follow through on its commitments.
Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Scott Reid says he is willing to work with First Voice on the issues raised.
Specifically, on the issue of a police oversight board, Reid agrees one should be in place.
He says there were conversations around that topic with the former minister of justice, and he will follow up with current minister Bernard Davis.