Reflecting on Ranch Ehrlo's commitment to the TRC 94 Calls to Action
The 10th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada's Final Report, has been marked by Indigenous leaders, governments, and organizations nationwide with reflection on work that has been done and renewing commitments to fulfill the 94 Calls to Action.
In the wake of this important milestone, Ranch Ehrlo reflects on the engagement, education, and actions that have been initiated and accomplished in efforts to support the Calls to Action and the mandate for a healing and inclusive future.
“Ranch Ehrlo embraced the 94 Calls to Action when they were first released in 2015, and that commitment has continued to grow over time,” said Jamie Lerat, Indigenous advisor. “That commitment has guided our approach to Indigenous engagement, education, and cultural activities, and was a driving force behind the development of the Indigenous Engagement Guide in 2025.”
The development and release of Ranch Ehrlo’s Indigenous Engagement Guide was a monumental move for the agency, formalizing much of the work that has been done and continues to be accomplished by staff and programs to prioritize and promote reconciliation.
The Indigenous Engagement Guide provides a framework for intentional education and engagement in four quadrants: participants, staff, communities, and relationships – advancing reconciliation and actions that support the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action.
These efforts are reflected in activities that have been ongoing for years, some for months, and others spanning only a day. The value of engagement is not derived from the duration, but rather the depth of learning and participation.
Many of Ranch Ehrlo’s activities reflect the spirit of the TRC’s Calls to Action. The examples that follow are not an exhaustive list, but a snapshot of some of the meaningful work underway to support reconciliation and strengthen cultural competency. While not every initiative responds to a specific Call, our work supports reconciliation and cultural competency. We invite you to explore how our efforts align with the 94 Calls and consider how your own programs can continue to advance this important work.
- Call to Action 1 & 3 – Providing supports. Providing family-centred supports through Jordan’s Principle supports these calls ensuring Indigenous children and families receive timely, culturally appropriate services.
- Call to Action 2 – Our outcomes. By publicly reporting the number of Indigenous children in care compared with non-Indigenous children, along with reasons for service, Ranch Ehrlo directly supports TRC Call to Action 2 by increasing transparency, accountability, and awareness.
- Call to Action 4 & 5 – Ranch Ehrlo’s family programs. The core mission of these programs is to strengthen parenting capacity and accountability in child welfare systems by preventing the placement of children outside of the home or reunifying after having child(ren) in care. Culturally inclusive programs and activities are integrated into education.
- Call to Action 10 – Culturally appropriate services. Ranch Ehrlo provides culturally appropriate services for Indigenous children, creating spaces where they feel safe, seen, and supported. Intergenerational trauma is addressed with care and understanding, and by involving elders and communities while honouring Indigenous ways of knowing and learning, we actively support this action.
- Call to Action 12 –Learning. EELC travelled to New Zealand to learn about Māori early learning approaches. Learning from international Indigenous-led models to inform a culturally grounded curriculum directly advances this action.
- Call to Action 13 – Traditional naming. Ehrlo Counselling Services inherited the Cree spirit name “Thundering Buffalo Lodge”, gifted by elders from Zagime First Nation. This traditional naming practice supports the visibility, respect, and normalization of Indigenous languages in public and commercial spaces.
- Call to Action 14: Language education. Ranch Ehrlo Group Living Treatment Services (GLTS) has developed and will soon implement a tool that encourages and guides awareness of home Nation language, language identity, and connection to linguistic heritage as the foundation for identity development.
- Call to Action 19 & 89– Remove barriers. Ehrlo Sport Venture provides free sports leagues and an equipment lending library to enhance access to sport and recreation – proven contributors to physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. This program directly supports improved health outcomes (Action 19) and removes barriers to create equitable access (Action 89) to Indigenous children and youth.
- Call to Action 38: Youth justice outcomes (preventative approach). The agency’s cultural programming strengthens protective factors such as identity, belonging, purpose and resilience, focusing on reducing justice-system involvement for Indigenous youth.
- Call to Action 57 & 91 – Cultural opportunities. Providing opportunities for participants and staff to engage in Indigenous ceremonies and cultural gatherings (feasts, sweats, powwow, round dances, etc.) aligns with Call to Action 57 through staff learning and Call to Action 91 by celebrating Indigenous culture in community spaces.
- Call to Action 62: SLP Cultural Connections group. This program directly advances this call by making Indigenous cultural learning accessible and inclusive, adapting education to meet diverse learning needs, and promoting understanding among individuals who may otherwise face barriers to cultural understanding.
- Call to Action 62 & 63,92: Staff training. The 4 Seasons of Reconciliation training is built around these learning outcomes and helps staff develop the knowledge and awareness needed to support reconciliation in daily work. Making the training mandatory ensures reconciliation learning isn’t optional. It becomes part of organizational culture.
- Call to Action 66: Youth leadership. GLTS is developing a new tool, soon to be implemented that will build youth voice, critical consciousness, leadership skills, and self-determination through reflection using the SPICE pedagogy, and identity-based questioning.
Responding to the Calls to Action is ongoing work and this commitment continues to guide our actions.