By Aaron Walker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com Canada entered its most active period of federal reconciliation work since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) issued its 94 Calls to Action 11 years ago, reads the inaugural report from the National Council for Reconciliation (NCR). But the country’s first legislated independent assessment on Canada’s reconciliation progress warns that the increased activity has yet to produce fundamental structural change. The report, issued July 20, finds efforts have been made in rights-based legislation, child welfare discrimination settlements, increased investment and expanded distinctions-based partnerships, but persistent barriers continue to affect First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Those barriers include continued short-term program funding, fragmented government responsibilities, gaps in data and measurement, engagement fatigue and rising residential school denialism. “We’ve had federal activity that’s…





