IN HONOUR OF: 10th Anniversary of the TRC Final Report

September 18, 2025
IN HONOUR OF: 10th Anniversary of the TRC Final Report: TO BE SHARED IN ALL PARISHES

Dear Friends,

As we come closer to Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30th, we are reminded of the hard work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its findings that were presented ten years ago this year. In that report, 94 Calls to Action were offered to the Government, Churches, Educational Institutions, various sectors, and all of us as Canadians. It was a framework and a pathway that ideally would lead to healing and reconciliation. Ten years later, there has been some progress. There is, however, still much to be done as we strive to educate ourselves, break down systemic barriers, and make the changes that are necessary to support an environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

Our Primate, Archbishop Shane Parker has encouraged us to honour and remember the 10th Anniversary of the TRC Final Report. In his letter, he speaks of an encounter he had with an intergenerational Survivor at Sacred Circle in August, who asked if the Anglican Church would place a Survivors flag in their churches. The Primate has invited Anglican Cathedrals to place a Survivors Flag in a prominent place as a remembrance in honour of all residential school survivors, there families and communities who have been deeply impacted. A generous donation was made to purchase a flag for each cathedral. To learn more about the Survivors Flag project and the symbolism of the various images on the flag, go to: The Survivors’ Flag - NCTR.

As we mark TRC Day on September 30th, I would ask parishes to intentionally setting aside some time to read through the 94 Calls to Action, paying particular attention to the calls directed to churches. A copy of the Calls to Action are included with this letter. As you read through the Calls, have a conversation about how your parish is responding to the Calls to Action and to identify one thing that you could do to address one of the Calls to Action. My hope is that we do not succumb to complacency, or think the work of reconciliation is someone else’s responsibility. I pray that we will continue the conversation, commit to learning, and changing what needs to change, both personally and collectively, so that we can find a way forward together.

In Christ’s Service,

The Rt. Rev. Clara Plamondon
Bishop – Territory of the People