How many First Nations communities are there in New Brunswick?
There are 16 communities and a complete list can be found here.
What is the First Nations population in New Brunswick?
According to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)’s Indian Registry System, as of December 31, 2022, there are approximately 17,270 First Nations people in New Brunswick – 10,014 on reserve and 7,256 off reserve.
Where are First Nations located in New Brunswick?
There are First Nations communities throughout the province. A map of them is available here.
How were the Calls to Action identified?
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission identified 94 Calls to Action in its final report in 2015. Thirty-one of those Calls fall under the jurisdiction of the provincial government with some overlap with other government organizations – federal, municipal, territorial and aboriginal.
The federal government says: “Between 2007 and 2015, the Government of Canada provided about $72 million to support the TRC's work. The TRC spent 6 years travelling to all parts of Canada and heard from more than 6,500 witnesses. The TRC also hosted 7 national events across Canada to engage the Canadian public, educate people about the history and legacy of the residential schools system, and share and honour the experiences of former students and their families.”
That 2015 report called on all levels of government, in addition to organizations and residents of Canada in general, to take action to mend the legacy of the residential schools and advance the process of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada.
Where can I see the 2015 TRC report?
The English version is available here.
How long will it take to implement the Calls to Action?
Implementation is underway but there is no timeline to have the Calls completed. The TRC mandate describes reconciliation as an “ongoing individual and collective process.”
How many residential schools were there in N.B.?
New Brunswick did not have a residential school system. N.B. was, however, home to several day schools.
The Roman Catholic Church operated 12 day schools in N.B., all within or located closely to First Nations communities. Indigenous children were forced to attend day school to enforce the adoption of European traditions, languages, and lifestyles.
Those who were unable to attend day school were sent to residential school in Shubenacadie, N.S.