Former TRC Chair Warns Against 'Violating Treaty Rights' in Push for Economic Reconciliation Wilton Littlechild, former co-chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, criticizes Prime Minister Mark Carney's approach to economic reconciliation. He argues that fast-tracking project approvals under Bill C-39 violates Indigenous treaty rights and undermines meaningful consultation, warning that true reconciliation requires respecting the fundamental rights of Indigenous communities before pursuing economic development. An every child matters shirt sits out on a banister for Truth and Reconciliation day in Inuvik, N.W. T., Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson OTTAWA -- When Wilton Littlechild was co-chairing the landmark Truth and Reconciliation Commission more than a decade ago, he thought a lot about the idea of economic reconciliation and how it could help transform Indigenous communities. 'You may have the best ideas in the world but without a fundamental grounding and foundation to self-determination, you're missing a very important part,' Littlechild said in an interview with The Canadian Press. Littlechild said economic reconciliation is still the key to achieving reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians -- but not in the way Prime Minister Mark Carney sees it.Truth Commission Legacy of Residential SchoolsThe Truth and Reconciliation Commission, launched out of a legal settlement between the federal government and survivors of residential schools, was tasked with researching the history and legacy of those institutions. It was chaired by Littlechild, Murray Sinclair and Marie Wilson. Between 1857 and 1996, 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend church-run, government-funded schools. They were barred from speaking their languages in institutions often rife with abuse and located far away from their families and communities.The Truth and Reconciliation Commission initially documented the deaths of 3,200 children attending residential schools. Experts at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation -- who continue to comb through millions of records -- say the actual number could be much higher. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission concluded in 2015 the goal of the schools was to erase Indigenous cultures. MPs unanimously voted to recognize residential schools as a form of genocide in 2022.Economic reconciliation is mentioned twice in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action. They call on the corporate sector to engage in meaningful consultations before proceeding with economic development projects, and to ensure Indigenous people have equitable access to jobs in those projects.Carney Economic Reconciliation vs Indigenous RightsThe federal government under Carney has made economic reconciliation the focus of its efforts to rebuild relations with Indigenous Peoples as it pushes forward an aggressive major projects agenda in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. Littlechild said that while Carney has been focused on securing overseas investments, he's ignoring the rights of Indigenous Peoples at home and sidelining their traditional economies by fast-tracking legislation that would allow for quicker project approvals and environmental reviews.He said Carney's approach risks alienating Indigenous communities and the federal government's idea of economic reconciliation falls short of the efforts industry is making to work in partnership with communities. He said he also fears traditional economies -- hunting, fishing, trapping -- could be damaged by an aggressive approach to resource development.'Right now, it's like a four-legged stool with one leg missing,' Littlechild said. That missing leg, he said, is true respect for Indigenous rights. The federal government's Bill C-39, known as the Building Canada Strong Act, seeks to approve projects within one year.Bill C-39 Timeline Concerns Indigenous ChiefsFirst Nations chiefs say they worry that will severely compress the timeline for their communities to complete land-use assessments and consultations. Similar legislation introduced by Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is being challenged by Indigenous and environmental groups in court. And while Ottawa's focus has shifted to economic reconciliation, the TRC's Calls to Action that touch more on social issues are languishing, Littlechild said.'(Carney is) approaching things by violating treaty rights, by violating the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and just steamrolling on national interest strategies that completely exclude us by way of disrespect,' he said. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty disagreed with the suggestion that Carney does not prioritize Indigenous rights or the social issues faced by communities.'There is a lot of institutional reconciliation that's happening,' Gull-Masty told The Canadian Press, citing work on reforming child and family services. 'And to me, that institutional reconciliation is maybe not language people are familiar with, but it is in progress and it is occurring.' Hayden King, executive director of the Yellowhead Institute, said he wonders what those institutional commitments are -- since First Nations are still waiting for the government to pass clean drinking water legislation, improve their access to health care, address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and reduce incarceration and over-policing in their communities.