Reconciliation is a Verb

This past weekend I was reflecting on Canada Day (you can read past blogs here), and how different the narrative is this year – specifically, how I haven’t heard the strong Indigenous voices and narrative that Canada’s 150 celebration brought up last year.

I know that activism takes its toll. Speaking up, reminding, sharing stories, shedding light on situations, bringing awareness – all of these require energy and commitment. Making sure the voices we don’t usually hear are heard and have the space to be heard is a lot of work. And the hope is that raising those voices, drawing attention, and bringing awareness and information will create a positive change.

Land Acknowledgement

So I have been thinking these past few days about Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples here in Canada. The one thing I have noticed is land acknowledgements before events. It wasn’t every time, but it happened. It also happens every morning at my daughter’s school, which warms my heart because I’m hoping for these kids it will be second nature to consider whose land they are on as they grow up. Acknowledging the land and the Indigenous Peoples who lived/live on it is something I have also made an effort to do before my presentations and workshops, as well as finding ways to make it more than a statement; to help it live. A website that I have found helpful, since I deliver workshops across the country is Native-Land.ca

I admit that I don’t always remember to do the land acknowledgement. It hasn’t become second nature yet. But I’m working on it. Which reminds me that Reconciliation is a verb, and it’s everyone’s responsibility. It’s not something Indigenous Peoples are in charge of; we all have a roll to play.

150 things you can do

So for the next few weeks I’m going to pick something from this list of 150 things we can do to support Reconciliation, DO it, and write about it.

Of course, if you have subscribed to my weekly email and are part of the See More community, you’ll get the challenge that goes along with it!

I hope you will join me.

See more.