Answer

The meaning of Reconciliation

Reconciliation refers to a situation in which groups of individuals become friendly again after an argument or dispute or the process of making two or more opposite situations, ideas, or beliefs agree.  Reconciliation usually involves a continuing collective and individual process which requires commitment and dedication from all the parties or persons affected. For example, in Canada, the reconciliation should encompass Indian Residential School including the community, families, employees, the government, and all Canadians. I believe that reconciliation is an intention to bring truce between parties involved in a dispute through mediations, dialogue, and compensation of the negatively affected individuals. In reconciliation, the offending party ought to accept the harm it inflicted on the offended party and the offended party should have the heart of forgiving after which compensation should follow.

It is important to note that if the above version of reconciliation were wholly implemented, the relationship between the Canadian state and Indigenous people would be positive. A dialogue and mediation between the Canadian state and Indigenous people would enable the parties to understand the cause of the problem and chat a way forward.  Dialogue would enable the parties to generate and submit to the Canadian government, the Agreement a report which would include recommendations to the Government in regards to the Indian Residential School system and experience comprising the supervision, operation, purpose, and history of the Indian Residential School system, the impacts and consequences of Indian Residential School including the impact on human dignity, systemic harms, and intergenerational consequences (Nagy, 2014). The government will understand the problems, impacts, and consequences of the survivors of the residential school such as inadequate housing, poor water, overcrowding, and inadequate education and would institute a program which would ensure that the indigenous people get all they need for better life.

The 94 recommendations will play an integral role in repairing the relationship between the Canadian state and Indigenous people. For example, the “royal proclamation of reconciliation” recommendation would ensure that the indigenous individuals are full partners in confederation along with the French and English citizens (Nagy, 2014). The adoption of the United Nations declaration would result in indigenous people self-determination and self-government. The aforementioned would significantly reduce the wrangles between the non-indigenous and indigenous people. Subsequently, issuing apology to the residential school survivors particularly by the pope for sexual, physical, emotional, spiritual, and cultural abuse would fasten the reconciliation process because the victims will feel the admission of the offenders would be able to forgive.

Teaching Christian values along with the Aboriginal spiritual beliefs in denominational schools would help in integrating the indigenous people, therefore, avoiding discrimination. In the same vein, equal opportunities for education would also play a great role in repairing the relationship between the Canadian state, Indigenous people, and non-indigenous persons. Through equal opportunities, the aboriginals will feel as part of the entire Canadian populace. The government is also required to legislate on the indigenous language rights as one of the country’s identity so that the Aboriginals can also get an opportunity to learn and appreciate their history and language.

In conclusion, reconciliation is geared toward truce between two conflicting parties. Therefore, the Canadian government should implement some if not all the 94 recommendations to repair her relationship with the indigenous people since everyone has a right to life and fair treatment including provision of clean water and better housing.