A timeline of decisions that have progressed the recognition of Indigenous Rights in Canada

June is National Indigenous History Month. 

It is time to honour the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada.  Part of this history is understanding the rights of Indigenous people.  It is critical that we understand, acknowledge and appreciate the unvarnished account of the relationship between Indigenous people and Canada. Understanding the mistakes of the past, and the journey that still needs to be taken is essential to the foundation of a truly fair and inclusive society. 

Reflecting on the history of Indigenous Rights in Canada is especially poignant this year after the recent discovery of remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. Join us in making a donation to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.

The following timeline outlines some of the key landmark decisions that have progressed the recognition of Indigenous Rights in Canada.  It is not meant to be all inclusive, nor does it suggest that the journey is complete. Rather, it is meant to shed light on the nature of the relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples. By highlighting the gaps in basic rights as well as the progress to remedy the situation we can appreciate the magnitude of the challenges that lead to our current environment and the work to be done.