Canada’s relationship with the Indigenous Peoples who first inhabited this land continues to be largely unresolved and fraught with controversy. While today’s reality is much improved from that of previous generations, there are currently a host of unresolved issues, ranging education reform in Aboriginal communities, proposed pipelines crossing native lands, treaty rights and land claims.
In 2019, where do we stand? The past few years have witnessed many expressed commitments of good will and intent, dialogues and discussions have taken place, and programs launched. At the same time, it is unclear what impact these efforts have had, and what progress has been achieved with respect to the awareness, attitudes and actions of individuals, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. And, perhaps most importantly, what is the perspective of the country’s youth – the emerging generation on whose shoulders the promise and challenges of reconciliation rests most directly?
Survey Details
The survey was conducted in Canada by the Environics Institute, in English and French, using an established online panel with a representative sample of 1,508 Canadians (aged 18 and over) between June 27 and July 10, 2019. The sample was weighted by region, age and gender to match the country’s population, based on the 2016 Census. These data constitute the Canadian component of the larger AmericasBarometer 2019 survey, which covers 23 countries spanning the western hemisphere.
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Canadian Youth
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Youth see hope for reconciliation but it will take work
There have been many expressions of goodwill toward reconciliation since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action in 2015.
Canadian Public Opinion about Indigenous Peoples and Reconciliation
The survey reveals that, in the wake of these events, attitudes in Canada have shifted. There is a growing awareness of the mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, including through the system of residential schools, and a growing willingness to say that the policies of Canadian governments is the main obstacle to achieving economic and social equality.