As announced this week on unceded Algonquin Territory in Ottawa, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, issued a statement Tuesday marking the coming into force of an act to establish a national council for reconciliation.
The Act received Royal Assent on April 30th, and the National Council it establishes is linked to Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action 53 through 56.
The Council is to be a permanent, independent, non-political, broadly-based Indigenous-led organization that respects the visions of Survivors.
It will monitor the implementation of Calls to Action in local communities and across the country while providing annual reports to parliament and the Prime Minister.
Minister Anandasangaree believes the process will keep everyone in Canada better informed, is consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and will hold the Government to account as we go forward.
Story by Rick Stow
