What We Have Learned - Principles of Truth and Reconciliation

Oct 16, 2026

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada presents a definition and guiding principles for reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians. Grounded in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Treaty, constitutional, and human rights, reconciliation is described as healing relationships through public truth sharing, apology, and commemoration. It requires constructive action on ongoing colonial legacies, closing social and health gaps, shared responsibility, support for cultural revitalization, and sustained dialogue supported by political will, trust, accountability, and resources.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages199

Reading Time8 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

What we have learned: Principles of truth and reconciliation

Introduction

The history

The legacy

Reconciliation

Bibliography

Endnotes

What We Have Learned Principles of Truth and Reconciliation What We Have Learned: Principles of Truth and Reconciliation The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada This report is in the public domain. Anyone may, without charge or request for permission, reproduce all or part of this report. 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada [Website: www.trc.ca](Website: www.trc.ca) Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada What we have learned : principles of truth and reconciliation. Issued also in French under title: Ce que nous avons retenu : les principes de la vérité et de la réconciliation. Available also on the Internet. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-0-660-02073-0 [Cat. no.:](Cat. no.:) IR4-6/2015E 1. Native peoples--Canada--Residential schools. 2. Native peoples—Canada--History. 3. Native peoples--Canada--Social conditions. 4. Native peoples—Canada --Government relations. 5. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. 6. Truth commissions--Canada. I. Title. E96 .5 T78 2015 971.004’97 C2015-980028-5 Contents What we have learned: Principles of truth and reconciliation ........ 1 Introduction ......................................................................................... 5 The history ........................................................................................... 9 The legacy ............................................................................................ 103 Reconciliation...................................................................................... 113 Bibliography ........................................................................................ 127 Endnotes .............................................................................................. 145 What we have learned: Principles of truth and reconciliation It is duetothe courage and determination of former students—the Survivors of Canada’s residential school system—that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (trc) was established. 􀀐ey worked for decades to place the issue of the abusive treatment that students were subjected to at residential schools on the national agenda. 􀀐eir perseverance led to the reaching of the historic Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. All Canadians must now demonstrate the same level of courage and determination, as we commit to an ongoing process of reconciliation. By establishing a new and respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians, we will restore what must be restored, repair what must be repaired, and return what must be returned. In preparation for the release of its 􀀏nal report, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has developed a de􀀏nition of reconciliation and a guiding set of principles for truth and reconciliation. 􀀐is de􀀏nition has informed the Commission’s work and the principles have shaped the calls to action we will issue in the 􀀏nal report. Justice Murray Sinclair Chair, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Chief Wilton Littlechild Dr. Marie Wilson Commissioner Principles of Reconciliation The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada believes that in order for Canada to flourish in the twenty-first century, reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canada must be based on the following principles. 1 The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is the framework for reconciliation at all levels and across all sectors of Canadian society. 2 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, as the original peoples of this country and as self-determining peoples, have Treaty, constitutional, and human rights that must be recognized and respected. 3 Reconciliation is a process of healing of relationships that requires public truth sharing, apology, and commemoration that acknowledge and redress past

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada described in this report?

It outlines principles and a definition of reconciliation to guide an ongoing process of healing between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.

What does reconciliation require according to the report?

Reconciliation requires public truth sharing, apology, and commemoration that acknowledge and redress past harms, along with constructive action on ongoing colonial legacies.

What framework and rights support reconciliation at all levels in Canadian society?

The report states that reconciliation is based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and recognizes Treaty, constitutional, and human rights for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

Oct 16, 2026

Uploaded by Olivia Brown