8 Ways to Engage in Truth and Reconciliation

*This article contains information and links related to residential schools. Support is available to anyone who has been affected by residential schools. If you need emotional or crisis support, please contact the 24-Hour National Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.*

September 30 is National Truth and Reconciliation Day. This day is an opportunity to acknowledge the history of residential schools in Canada and honour the survivors, their families, and the communities that experience ongoing intergenerational trauma. On this important day, we can learn about our shared history to help create a more inclusive future and ensure that we remember the legacy of the residential schools.

Here are eight suggestions on how you can engage in truth and reconciliation:

1. Read, and Re-read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission announced 94 Calls to Action in 2015. They provided 94 activities that all levels of government, and non-Indigenous and Indigenous communities, can support and initiate to set right the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation. 

The report, published in 2015, is a crucial piece of our shared history and an important read for all settlers in this country to set us on a more inclusive path.

The First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada has created this kid-friendly version of the Calls to Action if you want to learn about them with your younger family members.

2. Learn About Indigenous History and the Residential School System

Head to your local library, search bookstores and scan the internet to learn more about Indigenous history and the residential school system. There are lots of insightful sources out there, including the following: 

Websites & Web Resources:

• Residential School History
• Indigenous Perspectives Education Guide
• The Residential School System 
• Canada’s Commitment to Reconciliation

Books: 

• Broken Circle: The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools by Theodore Fontaine
• The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad
• 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality by Bob Joseph
• Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It by Bruce McIvor

Courses:

Several Canadian universities also offer courses surrounding Indigenous history and the residential schools, which are available for free:

• Indigenous Canada offered through the University of Alberta
• Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education offered through UBC

3. Identify and Acknowledge the Territory Where you Live

Acknowledge the land you live on. Whose Land is a web-based app that identifies Indigenous Nations, territories and communities to let you know where you live, work and play,

The Government of Canada’s GeoViewer lets you see the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples who live near you.

When you have work meetings or get-togethers, introduce a land acknowledgement at the beginning of both your external and internal get-togethers. 

You can also text your postal code to 907-312-5085, and it will send you back the acknowledgement of whose land you are on.

4. Listen and Learn

No matter what your knowledge of Indigenous history and the residential school system is, there is no better time to listen and learn from the Indigenous peoples and communities around you. 

You can attend workshops and community groups, talk to Elders in your community, and listen to the Indigenous people you know about their history and lived experiences.

5. Attend a National Truth and Reconciliation Week Virtual Event

From September 26 to 30, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting a series of events, that includes content appropriate for kids in grades 1-12, on the theme of “Remembering the Children”. Check out their schedule and register for events here. 

Take a look at your local events calendars too, to see what you and your family could attend in your area.

6. Explore Indigenous Voices

Whether you’re a TV watcher, a podcast listener, or a book reader, there are lots of options out there for you to hear from Indigenous peoples and creators. We’ve provided a few of each below to get you started:

TV Shows & Movies:

• Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner
• The Grizzlies
• Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World
• Beans
• nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up
• Falls Around Her

Podcasts:

• Pieces
• Telling Our Twisted Histories
• Our Native Land
• Métis in Space
• Missing and Murdered
• The Henceforward
• MediaINDIGENA

Books:

• Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
• Call Me Indian by Fred Sasakamoose
• Bone Black by Carol Rose
• Mamaskatch: A Cree Coming of Age by Darrel J. Mcleod
• If I Go Missing by Brianna Jonnie
• Indians Don’t Cry: Gaawiin Mawisiiwag Anishinaabeg by George Kenny
• The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
• A Day with Yayah by Nicola I. Campbell (a children’s book)
• When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson (a children’s book)
• Owls See Clearly at Night by Julie Flett (a children’s book)

7. Support (and Volunteer with) Indigenous Non-profits

There are over 600 Indigenous non-profits that you can support here in Canada. Take a look through the array of organizations out there, find one (or more!) that speaks to you, and reach out to offer your support however you can. 

DUDES club, for example, has over 42 locations in BC. They work in communities with high Indigenous populations to promote men’s wellness and “build solidarity and brotherhood, and enable men to regain a sense of pride and purpose in life.”

8. Support Indigenous creators and businesses

Support Indigenous artists, designers, jewellers, restaurants, and other business owners by purchasing their products, attending their events, following their social media accounts, sharing their content, and recommending their products and works to friends and family.

There are many Indigenous creators on social media platforms that you can follow, including @notoriouscree, @shinanova, @modern_warrior__, @_aysanabee_, @jayroymakokis and @boslen.

What Indigenous non-profits, businesses, and creators do you follow and support? Let us know in the comments below!