Forging a new reconciliation path focused on economic empowerment

This Sept. 30, as in years past, Canadians will step back from their regular routines to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—the 24 hours we set aside to acknowledge the decades-long legacy of residential schools, and the struggles still faced by Indigenous peoples in this country. Many will wear orange shirts. It’s important, I believe, to reflect on why we do this—and what we hope to achieve after the day comes to an end and regular life picks up again. For if this day is to become more than an annual memorial, it needs to be about more than reflection, though reflection is crucial. It must be a call to action—a beacon to a path forward both for First Nations, and for the country. Raymond Powder is the chief of Fort McKay First Nation. Photograph courtesy of Fort McKay First Nation The Truth and Reconciliation Commission documented, in painful detail, the sufferings of residential school survivors, and the way those schools tore up our families and communities, leaving trauma in their wake. Before European settlers arrived here, First Nations had a rich heritage dating back thousands of years. We weren’t perfect, any more than any community anywhere. But we were rich in our own unique languages, history, spirituality, and culture. We told our own stories. The residential schools were a deliberate attempt to wipe that out, and they very nearly succeeded. Before the last one was finally shut down—as recently as 1996—they did incalculable harm. The Commission exposed this ugly truth, and urged all Canadians to confront it. That much, we are now doing. This is good and necessary. But what about the future? At the heart of this day is the recognition that true healing first requires honesty. And honesty requires that we face up to the uncomfortable reality that injustice isn’t something locked in some distant past. It’s still happening, though maybe in less obvious ways. You see it reflected in the disproportionately high unemployment and incarceration rates that Indigenous Peoples face, the inequities in education, health care, and access to basic services. The fight for justice is ongoing. At Fort McKay First Nation—the nation I am privileged to lead in Northern Alberta—every decision we take to strengthen our financial autonomy and our economic dignity is a step towards redressing these historical and present-day inequities. Our community is about a 40-minute drive north of Fort McMurray. We have just under 900 members. And we are one of the leading First Nations in Canada when it comes to business. It most definitely did not happen by accident, or a stroke of good luck. It’s due to good ideas, reliable partnerships, and the hard work necessary to see projects through. And guess what? The model works. Our companies now have numerous clients in energy, mining, forestry, and the public sector. How can this approach—and project ownership—help Indigenous Peoples across Canada? First, it’s about economic empowerment. It creates jobs, spin-off opportunities, and revenue. That allows us to reinvest in our schools, hospitals, and social programs. Second, it’s about self-determination: We make decisions that align with our cultural values, even as we gain negotiating power. We prioritize environmental protection. And third: direct control over the wealth in our lands brings greater pride, identity, and confidence among our communities. That completes the circle. None of this is easy. It has taken us many years to get where we are—decades of learning, planning, co-operation, and compromise. It is an evolution, one that continues each day. My point is that, for Fort McKay, truth and reconciliation begin with a national recognition of past injustice—but they mustn’t end there. This is a starting point. Surely, the true meaning of reconciliation is for First Nations to have an equal seat at the table. Hope becomes concrete when our people become owners, not employees. Hope becomes concrete when Indigenous children have equal opportunities and prospects—economic and otherwise—as every other child in this country. Many years ago, politicians in Canada across the spectrum reached a consensus on the need to acknowledge the national sins of the past. Good. We’re doing that. But with respect, reflection is not enough. That’s why we urge federal leaders to take concrete steps to uphold and respect treaty rights. This includes doing the hard work necessary to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. We also ask that all orders of government in Canada work to advance concrete measures that further economic reconciliation, measures such as the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, and the First Nations Resource Charge. Lastly, we here renew our request for additional, necessary investments in First Nations housing and infrastructure, with funding that is predictable, long-term, and accessible to all First Nations. Wear the orange shirt, by all means. Reflect, by all means. But let’s also do this work. Raymond Powder is the chief of Fort McKay First Nation. The Hill Times