Did you know FortWhyte Alive has a Truth & Reconciliation committee dedicated to implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action in honest and authentic ways?
In 2012, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission published their 97 Calls to Action to “redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation”.
In the spirit of reconciliation, FortWhyte Alive strives to integrate the recommendations of the TRC in honest and authentic ways. We respect all people, honour and understand history, and work together for a better common future for all.
Here are just a few actions the Truth & Reconciliation committee has worked on this year…
Recreation (Adapted from TRC 89)
Call to Action 89: “We call upon the federal government to amend the Physical Activity and Sport Act to support reconciliation by ensuring that policies to promote physical activity as a fundamental element of health and well-being, reduce barriers to sports participation, increase the pursuit of excellence in sport, and build capacity in the Canadian sport system, are inclusive of Aboriginal peoples”.
Our Actions:
FortWhyte Alive offers complimentary admission for Indigenous peoples to reduce barriers to accessing the physical and mental benefits of time in nature.
On September 30th, we welcomed Indigenous program facilitators to lead a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at FortWhyte Alive, which welcomed over 5,000 people.
Education (Adapted from Calls 10, 92, & 93)
Call to Action 10: “We call on the federal government to draft new Aboriginal education legislation with the full participation and informed consent of Aboriginal peoples. The new legislation would include a commitment to sufficient funding and would incorporate the following principles:
- Providing sufficient funding to close identified educational achievement gaps within one generation.
- Improving education attainment levels and success rates.
- Developing culturally appropriate curricula.
- Protecting the right to Aboriginal languages, including the teaching of Aboriginal languages as credit courses.
- Enabling parental and community responsibility, control, and accountability, similar to what parents enjoy in public school systems.
- Enabling parents to fully participate in the education of their children.
- Respecting and honouring Treaty relationships”.
Call to Action 92: “We call upon the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles, norms, and standards to corporate policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources. This would include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Commit to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before proceeding with economic development projects.
- Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects.
- Provide education for management and staff on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism”.
Call to Action 93: “We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with the national Aboriginal organizations, to revise the information kit for newcomers to Canada and its citizenship test to reflect a more inclusive history of the diverse Aboriginal peoples of Canada, including information about the Treaties and the history of residential schools”.
Our Actions:
Learning opportunities are offered to staff and volunteers on both a seasonal and a monthly basis. This includes our “FortWhyte U” lecture series, which is open to volunteers and staff, as well as a monthly lunch & learn led by staff or guest speakers.
FortWhyte Alive’s school programs are reviewed and updated seasonally, incorporating feedback from Indigenous consultants. Both Indigenous languages and traditional land management practices are incorporated into our field trip programs.
Knowledge Keepers are regularly brought in for our education events known as “Specialty Science Days” (Freshwater Ecosystems Day, Sustainability Day, Arctic Science Day, Agro-Ecosystems Day).
Exhibits and Archives (Adapted from Call 67)
Call to Action 67: “We call upon the federal government to provide funding to the Canadian Museums Association to undertake, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, a national review of museum policies and best practices to determine the level of compliance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to make recommendations”.
Our Actions:
Indigenous Knowledge Keepers are consulted for all new exhibits, signage, and art. In 2025, these new additions included:
- Updated signage in the Richardson Interpretive Centre, highlighting traditional Indigenous territories.
- A new exhibit on star blankets at Buffalo Crossing.
- Updated signage on the Storied Peoples Trail.
- We work with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers for exhibit maintenance and installation. Some exhibits we have on site include:
- ‘New Hope’ Tipi, designed by visual artist Annie Beach. Beach Cree/Saulteaux/Ukrainian, with relations from Peguis First Nation.
- ‘Seven Sacred Teachings’ Tipi, designed by Gary Meeches, an Anishinaabe artist from Long Plain First Nation.
- A medicine garden at FortWhyte Farms
FortWhyte Alive is located on Treaty 1 Territory, on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anisininewak, Dakota, and Dene peoples, as well as the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
FortWhyte Alive is guided by respect for the land, for all living things, and for all people and our future generations. We acknowledge the harms done to Indigenous peoples throughout Canada’s history of colonization. We commit to reconciliation and the building of a better future. All are welcome here.
We recognize our role as a trusted member of our community and are committed to being accountable for our actions. As we continue to assess and address existing policies, practices and facilities, we welcome you to share your experiences with us.
If you would like to reach our Truth & Reconciliation committee, have suggestions, or would like to learn more, please reach out to [email protected] or call us at 204-989-8355.