This thesis aims to address and understand the major themes of Reconciliation in Canada and Peru, focusing on their respective Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRCs). Transitional Justice is utilized as a framework to give understanding of what Reconciliation is and the tools typically used to achieve it and examines the unique historical, social, and political contexts of both countries. Ultimately this thesis identifies the political isolation and lack of Government support for Indigenous institutions as major challenges toward reconciliation in each case. In order to understand the groundwork leading to this political isolation the thesis delves into the historical legacies of colonialism and systemic violence, such as Canada's residential school system and Peru's internal conflict involving Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path), both of which specifically impacted Indigenous populations. The findings reveal that both nations face significant barriers to reconciliation, in regard to weak Government support for Indigenous institutions and shows evidence that the weak formal institutions in Peru has resulted in Indigenous institutions not being supported due to their substitutionary role. Whereas the strong formal institutions in Canada have resulted in Indigenous institutions not being supported due to their competitive role. The study creates a conversation surrounding institutional design and differing paths towards reconciliation providing evidence that the strong formal institutions of the Canadian state as resulted in a top-down pathway to Reconciliation. Whereas the weak formal institutions of Peru have resulted in a bottom-up pathway. Based on these findings the thesis concludes by advocating for a hybrid model that combines top-down and bottom-up reconciliation efforts to address these deep-rooted issues.