I am also a first generation Canadian. If you became a citizen at least in the past 10 years (not sure about before), you perhaps remember the Discover Canada guide[0], which we were asked to study prior to taking our citizenship oath. It discusses the multicultural nature of Canada and gives special mention to the unique status of its indigenous peoples. When we choose to become Canadians, we accept the same responsibilities that Canadians whose ancestors were born here have. That includes sharing responsibility for reconciliation, and perhaps also reparations for the impact of poor decisions that were made in generations past.

One outcome of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report (published 2015) was a proposal made for a change to the oath of citizenship to clarify this responsibility[1]. That change has now been made. It was used for the first time on June 22[2]. Hopefully this will help new Canadians to better understand what becoming a Canadian means.

There is no intention here to assign guilt. There is simply an understanding that as Canadians we have a responsibility to the indigenous peoples of the land that we now inhabit.

[0] https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/co...

[1] https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/ne...

[2] https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/ne...