A Day for Truth and Reconciliation
by Jessica Delaney, Principal, Engagement + Strategic Communications
Tomorrow is a first in Canada: the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day is set aside to honour the lost children and survivors residential schools, their families, and communities. To be clear: it’s not a holiday. Perhaps that is why I struggled with understanding how to honour the day, what to do as a non-Indigenous person with great privilege. On the eve of this day, my course participants shared resources, ideas, and opportunities for reflection. The group provided the list of links below and I would encourage you to seek out the quiet and reflective space that tomorrow provides and to also hold close that reconciliation is a journey and it has to start with each of us.
Heartfelt, Jessica
- Warrior Kids Podcast!: https://soundcloud.com/warriorkidspodcast/truth-and-reconciliation-day?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fwarriorkidspodcast%252Ftruth-and-reconciliation-day
- https://tkemlups.ca/drum/
- https://nctr.ca/education/trw/general-public-schedule/#schedule
- https://www.nahaneecreative.com/
- Free course on Indigenous Canada – https://www.ualberta.ca/admissions-programs/online-courses/indigenous-canada/index.html
- Listen on CBC to Murray Sinclair – https://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-is-1-step-on-a-long-journey-says-murray-sinclair-1.6184561
- Not specific to reconciliation, but a lovely read – Embers: one Ojibway’s Meditations by Richard Wagamese
- https://nctr.ca/education/trw/general-public-schedule/ events from the TRC for Truth and Reconciliation Week
- Read through the T&R Recommendations: https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
- Watch ‘Trick or Treaty’ (on Prime Video or YouTube)
- https://irshdc.ubc.ca/orangeshirtday link to Truth and Reconciliation week events
- I plan to watch “Rumble” a Canadian produced documentary on how Canadian and American indigenous people shaped rock music
- Bent Arrow (Edmonton org) is hosting virtual programming via Facebook Live on Sept 30 from 1-4pm: https://twitter.com/BentArrowYEG/status/1441540617620832258
- Educate yourself on the topic read a book to build your understanding and awareness. I would recommend Indian Horse, Birdie and The Inconvenient Indian https://www.cbc.ca/books/a-reconciliation-reading-list-15-must-read-books-1.4129333
- BCNPHA’s info for Sept. 30: https://bcnpha.ca/news/national-day-of-truth-and-reconciliation/
- Indigenous musician Sebastian Gaskin
- I just heard about this free course at UBC: https://pdce.educ.ubc.ca/reconciliation/
- BCNPHA curated a playlist for National Indigenous History Month with AHMA: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ja48p6ESxkWfygeMWTVJw?si=274f1992aa284730
