ARCHIVED - Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission Secretariat - Report

• Previous Page
• Table of Contents
• Next Page

This page has been archived.

Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

2.1 Strategic Outcome

The Commission has one Strategic Outcome: Disclosure and recognition of the truth regarding Indian Residential Schools in order to further healing and reconciliation for the individuals and communities affected. In 2008-09 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Secretariat received approval to spend $64,388,000 over the next five years. The following tables profile the Commission's funding for the next three fiscal years as approved before the appointment of the new Commissioners.

Support the research, truth, healing and commemoration activities of the TRC

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)

2010-11		2011-12		2012-13
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
46	13,955	46	11,045	46	6,335

Internal Services

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)

2010-11		2011-12		2012-13
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
12	1,360	12	1,360	12	1,360

 

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
(i) information about the Indian Residential Schools legacy.	(i) research papers and reports.	Seven national events are planned with an additional closing event planned for the final year of the Commission's operations. In recognition of the unique mandate of the Commission, defined performance targets for most of its activities (e.g. truth taking and sharing) are not considered appropriate due to the spirit and intent of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, which seeks to bring about a fair and lasting resolution in an informal manner that accommodates sensitivities.
(ii) - (iii) understanding of and appreciation for the experiences of former students of Indian Residential School.	(ii) number of participants and meetings concerning truth taking and sharing activities. (iii) survivor statements.
(iv) - (v) participation in commemoration, healing and reconciliation events.	(iv) number and type of healing and commemoration activities. (v) number of national and community events.
(vi) public awareness and recognition of the impacts of Indian Residential Schools on Aboriginal people, their communities, and their relationships.	(i) research papers and reports. (vi) media reports, press releases and information materials.

Benefits for Canadians

The 2007 Settlement Agreement provides an opportunity for all the stakeholders to renew their relationships, move forward together to find the truth, promote healing, and achieve reconciliation. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, through the activities and events it undertakes or supports will make a central contribution to the development of a renewed relationship.

The activities and events that will be carried out are expected to provide the following benefits to Aboriginal, as well as non-Aboriginal, people, their families and communities:

• culturally appropriate and safe settings in which former students, staff, their families and members of their communities can come forward and participate in truth finding/sharing, healing and reconciliation activities that acknowledge their residential school experiences, impacts and consequences;
• common understanding of the residential school system and legacy that is based on the information and data contained in the historical report produced by the Commission;
• enhanced awareness of the truth and reconciliation process that the Commission is fostering; and
• support and participation of former residential school students, senior government and church officials, and other stakeholders and beneficiaries in processes and events related to residential school experiences.

Ultimately, it is hoped that a greater understanding and appreciation of the experiences of former students, their families and their communities will improve individual and family well-being, encourage healing and achieve reconciliation.

Lessons Learned

Given that the new Commissioners were not appointed until July 1 and that most of 2009-10 was dedicated to various start-up activities, it is premature to draw lessons learned. The year has been one with a considerable learning curve into the intricacies and delays inherent in federal government procedures. Fundamentally, we question whether a court-supervised, party-supervised commission with a vast mandate and a short, fixed time period is a good fit for government policies. At a minimum, we believe the Commission should have the same administrative powers and freedoms as commissions that are established under the Inquiries Act.

In 2010-11, we will have put in place most and perhaps all of our key plans and activities. We will be able to begin forecasting various participation rates in our activities. We will have begun to be able to accurately forecast the actual costs of various aspects of the mandate we have been tasked to fulfill.

It has already become clear that having individual compensation proceed simultaneously with the Commission creates a variety of challenges. The existence of separate offices and procedures for Common Experience Payments, Independent Asssessment Process Payments and the activities of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission creates a very confusing context for former students to understand and access. These processes create concerns for many, especially around the issue of repetitive statement giving and confusion over the TRC's jurisdiction. There may be nothing that can be done about the simultaneous similar but different processes, but it is a lesson learned for all of us.

• Previous Page
• Table of Contents
• Next Page