Canada marks the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, reflecting on a decade since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its report and 94 Calls to Action. Established as part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, the TRC gathered testimonies from over 6,500 survivors of residential schools from 2007 to 2015. These survivors shared their experiences of trauma and abuse, hoping the Commission would help uncover the truth about the impact of these institutions on Indigenous Peoples.

The TRC's report aimed to reconcile the historical narrative of Canada with the realities faced by Indigenous communities. It provided a clear analysis of the colonial policies that aimed to disinherit and harm Indigenous Peoples. However, ten years later, only 14 of the 94 Calls to Action have been fully implemented, raising concerns about the federal government's commitment to reconciliation.

Despite this slow progress, there are signs of change at the community level. Educational institutions are increasingly incorporating Indigenous content into their curricula. Universities are expanding Indigenous programs and hiring more Indigenous faculty. Many Canadians are becoming more aware of the true history of the country, fostering a shift in attitudes toward reconciliation.

The federal government is legally obligated to implement the Calls to Action as part of the settlement agreement related to residential school claims. However, the implementation has been uneven. Some Calls require minimal effort, while others demand significant changes to existing legal and governance structures.

A significant barrier to reconciliation is the phenomenon of Residential School Denialism. In 2023, a self-published book titled "Grave Error" denied the realities of residential schools and their lasting impacts, despite widespread rejection from the publishing industry. This book's success as a bestseller is troubling, especially given the extensive evidence documenting the harms caused by these institutions.

Confronting denialism is crucial but often exhausting. Denialists promote alternative narratives that contradict decades of academic research and survivor testimonies. The ongoing release of information about residential schools has been met with resistance from those who wish to maintain a sanitized version of Canadian history.

The Canadian government has taken steps to criminalize other forms of denialism, such as Holocaust Denialism, which is explicitly addressed in the Criminal Code. This raises questions about the lack of similar legal protections against Residential School Denialism, especially given the consensus that the residential school system was genocidal in nature.

The failure to criminalize denialism related to residential schools perpetuates discrimination against Indigenous Peoples and undermines the commitment to reconciliation. Canada must align its actions with its stated values, recognizing that denying the truth of residential schools is as unacceptable as denying the Holocaust. Without this recognition, the country's commitment to reconciliation remains in question.