Honouring the Truth Reconciling for the Future

254 • Truth & Reconciliation CommissionOn October 7, 2013, Canada marked the 250th anniversary of the Royal Proclamationof 1763. The governor general of Canada, His Excellency the Right Honourable DavidJohnston, spoke about the proclamation’s importance.This extraordinary document is part of the legal foundation of Canada. Itis enshrined in the Constitution Act of 1982, and it sets out a framework ofvalues or principles that have given us a navigational map over the course ofthe past two-and-a-half centuries.... Its guiding principles—of peace, fairnessand respect—established the tradition of treaty-making, laid the basis for therecognition of First Nations rights, and defined the relationship between FirstNations peoples and the Crown.... All history reverberates through the ages,but the Royal Proclamation is uniquely alive in the present-day. Not only is ita living constitutional document, its principles are of great relevance to oursituation today, in 2013, and to our shared future.... Without a doubt, we havefaced, and are facing challenges, and we have much hard work to do on the roadto reconciliation, but it is a road we must travel together. In modern time, thesuccessful conclusion of comprehensive land claims agreements are an exampleof the principles of the Royal Proclamation in action. 39Across the country, Indigenous peoples also commemorated the anniversary, callingon Canadians to honour the spirit and intent of the Royal Proclamation. In BritishColumbia, where very few Treaties were signed, the First Nations Summit leadersissued a statement reminding Canadians that the principles set out in the proclamationwere still relevant in present-day Canada. They said,With Confederation, the First Nations–Crown relationship has regrettablybeen guided by federal control under the constraints of the Indian Act, not bythe principles articulated in the Proclamation.... The time has arrived for allCanadians to move into an era of recognition and reconciliation between FirstNations and the Crown. Although there is general recognition of Aboriginal titleand rights, far too often these rights exist without an effective remedy. Thereare many solutions that have the potential of moving us to where we need tobe. Such solutions include the negotiation of modern-day treaties, agreementsand other constructive arrangements, consistent with the principles of theProclamation. 40Across the river from the parliament buildings in Ottawa that October, Idle No Moresupporters gathered in Gatineau, Québec, at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, tocommemorate the Royal Proclamation as part of a national and international day ofaction. One of the organizers, Clayton Thomas-Muller, said, “We are using this foundingdocument of this country and its anniversary to usher in a new era of reconciliationof Canada’s shameful colonial history, to turn around centuries of neglect andabuse of our sacred and diverse nations.” 41