Thee eat (Truth) – Siem Te'ta-in, Sound of Thunder, HDOL, Coast Salish Knowledge Keeper, Honourary Doctorate of Original Laws, Native Education College shares this Coast Salish teaching with us: “You need to say the truth all the time. How you act and show up must be truthful. We need to be truthful in our work, and we need our truth to be heard and not denied. We must not deny the truth of the history, and we must remain committed to addressing it."
At BCCNM we believe that to advance our reconciliation journey, we must first pause, reflect, and acknowledge Thee eat (truth), which is that Indigenous-specific racism exists, and it is operating within our health care system every single day.
September 2025 marks ten years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) completed its mandate, which was to inform all Canadians about what happened in residential schools. The TRC documented the truth of Survivors, their families, communities and anyone personally affected by the residential school experience. This included First Nations, Inuit, and Métis former residential school students, their families, and communities. The final report included Ten Principles for Reconciliation and 94 Calls to Action that speak to all sectors of Canadian society to move toward reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. There is a section specific to the health sector that has seven Calls to Action (18-24).
Mazina Giizhik, the late Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, served as the TRC's Chief Commissioner. While presenting the final report, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: 94 Calls to Action, at its closing event in Ottawa, Justice Murray Sinclair said “We have described for you a mountain. We have shown you the way to the top. We call upon you to do the climbing." Today, we acknowledge his passing in November 2024 and take a moment to reflect and honour his life and invaluable contributions specifically in leading this important work.
We acknowledge that not enough progress has been made to address and implement the 94 Calls to Action. After 10 years, only 15 have been implemented. This is a disservice and dishonour to the more than 6,500 Indigenous Peoples who shared their truths with the TRC.
August 2025 brought another painful truth from the Shíshálh Nation: residential school survivors have led researchers to locate an additional 41 unmarked graves identified by archaeologists, at the former St. Augustine's residential school site, bringing the total to 81. This devastating news is yet another reminder of the harm caused by the residential school systems inflicted upon Indigenous Peoples and communities, and the lasting impacts that continues to be felt today.
BCCNM remains committed to our own reconciliation journey. As part of our ongoing work to address Indigenous-specific racism in the health-care system, we have reviewed and incorporated the health recommendations and all other Calls to Action that could pertain to our work, within our updated Redressing Harm to Indigenous Peoples in the BC Healthcare system Plan (Redress Plan) . On September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the college will publish our updated commitments document as part of “Redressing Harm to Indigenous Peoples in the Health-care System."
Reconciliation and Redress
Throughout September, BCCNM will be sharing articles and resources about the ongoing work of the college towards reconciliation and towards building a health system where everyone can receive equitable, competent, and culturally safe care.
Only by paddling together can we foster trust, understanding, and meaningful change in the health-care system. Together, we stand committed to reconciliation, today and every day.
Learn more, join the conversation and do your part: