While individual reparations are an important part of honouring the agreements made between nations – to share the benefits of living on this land – there is also a need to address the systemic (corporate and governmental) injustice, including racism and the continuing theft of land and resources taking place in “Canada”.
One way to incorporate this structural approach is to support ongoing advocacy efforts to implement larger-scale, systemic reparations. As long as any group is oppressed, all groups are at risk of oppression. Indigenous peoples continue to resist state invasions of their territories and fight to uphold their sovereignty in their own lands. Find out what Indigenous people are fighting for in your area and back up these efforts.
Advocacy Opportunities
- Advocate to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Implement recommendations of the taskforce on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Children and 2SLGBTQQIA People.
- Advocate for Municipal, Provincial and Federal governments to implement and abide by Treaties.
- Urge the Federal Government to adjust Treaty payments for inflation.
- Call on all sectors to fully address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
- Advocate to the Federal Government to implement the orders of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in response to the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada.
- Advocate for sustainable climate action campaigns such as the Red Deal or Land Needs Guardians.
- Support Indigenous Land Rights groups such as Wet’suwet’en solidarity.
- Consume food and products from local Indigenous-owned businesses and urban reserves.
- Invite your friends, churches, and community groups to get involved.
Breaking the Law
Choosing to break the law should not be taken lightly but may be necessary in the context of a legal system that is systemically unjust and colonial. When called upon by Indigenous people, we encourage non-Indigenous people to discern whether and at what time it is right for them to be involved at this level and if it is the most helpful use of their time and energy. We also encourage people to take nonviolent resistance training.
For further reading, check out this zine: Accomplices Not Allies.
Learning from Others
RAVEN Trust is an organization that gathers support for the legal fees of Indigenous nations fighting in the courts for Indigenous land title to be respected by the Canadian government and other corporations.
First Peoples Law provides regular news & analysis on current legal events that effect Indigenous peoples in Canada.