September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—a time to pause and honour survivors of residential schools, remember the children who never returned home, and acknowledge the intergenerational trauma still felt across Indigenous communities.
This year carries particular significance. It marks the 10th anniversary of the 2015 report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada. The report’s 94 Calls to Action remain as urgent today as they were a decade ago, challenging governments, institutions, and individuals to take meaningful steps toward reconciliation.
Reconciliation must also address the persistent inequalities Indigenous communities face today.
The statistics are stark: In 2023, 17.5% of Indigenous people in the ten provinces lived below the poverty line, nearly double the rate of the non-Indigenous population (9.9%).
Food insecurity is even more disproportionate. In 2022, 33.1% of Indigenous Peoples experienced food insecurity, compared to 19.1% of the overall population.
These numbers reflect not just economic hardship but the lasting legacies of systemic barriers, including displacement from traditional lands, discrimination, and unequal access to housing, education, and healthcare. They also underscore why reconciliation must include action to address poverty and food insecurity.
At Daily Bread Food Bank, we believe food is a human right. We also recognize that advancing reconciliation means listening to Indigenous voices, building partnerships grounded in respect, and advocating for systemic changes that reduce inequality and hunger.
On this day and beyond, we invite you to:
