Tomorrow - September 30 - marks the first National Day for Truth & Reconciliation in Canada. (If you’re not Canadian, take some time to consider what a day like this could mean in your country and look for resources to raise your awareness about Indigenous issues where you …
Reconciliation
When Words Replace Action
Sometimes when we talk about an issue, and when we are talking about the right things and using the right language, it’s easy to miss when the talk changes to just words. That’s how I felt watching the video clip of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s response to activists “crashing” the Liberal …
Stretch Yourself – Reconciliation Part 5
Which podcast or radio show did you listen to this past week? If you’re like me, I finally cleared some time and listened to a podcast on Monday night…and discovered someone I worked with years ago has released an album! So exciting. Jeremy Dutcher is Wolastoq (an Indigenous nation in New …
Cultural Appropriation…?
Part 3 in the Reconciliation Series. This week I’m thinking about cultural appropriation as I consider reconciliation. Obviously, these two don’t mix. First of all, what does it mean to appropriate a culture? It means we are taking something and using it as if it were ours. In so doing, we …
Awareness about Indigenous Realities
Reconciliation is a Verb Series – part 2 One of the foundational pieces to change is awareness. That’s not a new phenomenon; it just makes sense. So to kick start the series, here are a few important things to provide context for reconciliation work. Colonization is devastating. If you’re not …
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. …
What’s in a Sign?
This morning I woke up early and was fortunate to catch the sunrise as I walked along the lakeshore. It’s one of my favourite places. As I walked, I came across this sign. It’s not the first time I’ve seen it, but it caught my attention today again, especially since I’ve been thinking a lot about …
Reconciliation in Canada
Last week I attended the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Conference – Inclusive Canada, 2017 and Beyond. It was a thought-provoking and intense two days with a strong theme of Indigenous inclusion. The opening keynote was by Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, Ambassador for Reconciliation Canada. He …