Reconciliation is a process of healing of relationships that requires public truth sharing, apology, and commemoration that acknowledge and redress past harms.
Truth Sharing & Reflection
Let’s take a minute to reflect.
Actually, before we take a moment to show we stand in solidarity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, go grab a picture of the 3 to 5 year old version of yourself or someone you love. Now, look at that picture while we reflect.
Get your stopwatch and set it for 60 seconds. 60 to represent the 6000 plus children, aged 3 to 5, whom were kidnapped, forced into residential care, tortured, sexually assaulted, starved, beaten, and never made it home.
Let’s also consider the plus in 6000 plus. The plus represents all those children that lost their lives trying to escape – died trying to get back to their families. No one has the numbers of actual lives lost.
Today we think about the families that were (and still are) impacted by the great loss. We think about the communities that were devastated and never recovered. Today we remember, we reflect and we decide how each of us will move forward to help bring these horrific experiences to light and how to assist in the healing.
We each have a role to play.
Start your timers.
Residential Schools Map
Source: CBC News
Apology
Source: YouTube
Educate. Advocate. Action.
Deepen your Awareness (Education)
Beyond the Orange Shirt Story
A Collection of Stories From Family and Friends of Phyllis Webstad Before, During, and After Their Residential School Experiences.
By: Phyllis Webstad
Call Me Indian
From the Trauma of Residential School to Becoming the NHL’s First Treaty Indigenous Player
By: Fred Sasakamoose
Did You See Us?
Reunion, Remembrance, and Reclamation at An Urban Indian Residential School
By: Survivors of Residential Schools
St. Michael’s Residential School
Lament & Legacy
By: Nancy Dyson
We All Go Back to the Land
The Who, Why, and How of Land Acknowledgements
By: Suzanne Keeptwo
Pathways of Reconciliation
Indigenous and Settler Approaches to Implementing the TRC’s Calls to Action
From Bear Rock Mountain
The Life and Times of A Dene Residential School Survivor
By: Antoine Mountain
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act
By: Robert P. C. Joseph
Behind Closed Doors
Stories From the Kamloops Indian Residential School
The Education of Augie Merasty
A Residential School Memoir
By: Joseph Auguste Merasty
They Called Me Number One
Secrets and Survival at An Indian Residential School
By: Bev Sellars
Commemoration that Acknowledge and Redress Past Harms. (Advocate)
On July 20, 2021, the Government of Canada declared September 30 the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation; a federal statutory holiday to allow public servants the opportunity “to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools.”
Let’s use today to educate, reflect, and advocate. Here are a few ways you can support/advocate.
- Read books from survivors that reflect on the residential school experience.
- Donate to legit Indigenous charities and support Indigenous non-profits.
- Support Indigenous businesses, artists, and musicians.
- Attend a cultural event.
- Listen to Indigenous podcasts, music, and watch documentaries.
- Create a family project around Indigenous history.
- Become an ally by encouraging others to educate, advocate, and action true reconciliation.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Call to Action (Action)
In order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission/Government of Canada promised to execute the following 94 calls to action.
Take a look at the list. How can you contribute to ensuring these actions are successfully executed, implemented, and sustained?
Join Parris Consulting in contributing to “doing our part.” Together we can ensure all 94 (plus) actions are successfully implemented.
