The Historical Context

Canada was built on land that Indigenous peoples have inhabited for millennia. Through treaties, forced relocations, and residential schools, the Canadian government systematically worked to eliminate Indigenous cultures and assimilate Indigenous peoples into colonial society. The last residential school closed in 1996 — within the lifetime of many millennials.

Ongoing Inequities

Today, Indigenous communities face significant disparities in healthcare, education, housing, and clean water access. Boil water advisories affect dozens of First Nations communities, some lasting decades. Indigenous children are disproportionately represented in the foster care system. Life expectancy for Indigenous peoples is significantly lower than the Canadian average.

These are not historical problems — they are current realities that require current solutions. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued 94 Calls to Action in 2015. Progress on implementation has been slow.

Why It Matters to Gen Z

As the next generation of Canadian leaders, Gen Z will be responsible for addressing these ongoing inequities. Understanding treaty rights, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the specific needs of local Indigenous communities is essential for informed citizenship.

Beyond the moral imperative, there is a practical one: resource development, environmental policy, and land use all intersect with Indigenous rights. Companies and governments that ignore these realities face legal challenges, protests, and delays.

Taking Action

Learn whose traditional territory you live on. Support Indigenous-led organizations and businesses. Advocate for government action on the Calls to Action. And listen to Indigenous voices leading their own liberation. Reconciliation requires more than acknowledgment — it requires action.