AMC Criticizes Canada’s Failure to Fulfill Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action
December 21, 2023
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
AMC Communications
Treaty One Territory – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) expresses strong condemnation for the alarming findings revealed in a recent report by the Yellowhead Institute, exposing Canada’s inability to fulfill any of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action within the past year. With only 13 out of 94 recommendations implemented since 2015, the AMC asserts that this update underscores Canada’s lack of dedication to improve the Nation-to-Nation relationship it shares with First Nations.
AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick firmly emphasizes that Canada’s inability to address any outstanding calls to action within the past year signals a disconcerting disregard for the reconciliation process. “Clearly, there is a systemic unwillingness at the federal level to fulfill the TRC calls to action,” stated AMC Grand Chief Merrick. “The AMC has been prepared to lead this effort, but the country must prioritize and allocate the necessary resources to fulfill its outstanding treaty obligations to First Nations.”
The Yellowhead Institute’s report identifies five primary challenges hindering reconciliation: paternalism, structural anti-Indigenous discrimination, reconciliation perceived as exploitation or performance, insufficient resources, and the economic interests and apathy of non-Indigenous people. The AMC echoes these concerns and calls for the country to adopt a comprehensive and collaborative approach to overcome these systemic barriers, ensuring the full implementation of the initiatives outlined by the TRC calls to action.
Given this disheartening update, the AMC reaffirms its dedication to advocating for the full implementation of the TRC calls to action. The AMC insists that Canada must expeditiously take significant and meaningful measures to address these systemic issues, necessitating active participation from First Nations Leadership in the province.
For more information, please contact:
Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email: media@manitobachiefs.com
About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of 62 of the 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 151,000 First Nation citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Nehetho / Ininew (Cree), Anishininew (Ojibwe-Cree), Denesuline (Dene) and Dakota Oyate (Dakota) peoples.