2022 Resources for Truth and Reconciliation

Posted on September 28, 2022
By the Tamarack Institute

This blog post is the second of two resources published to coincide with 2022’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, observed each year on September 30. Click here to access the first post, titled Community-based healing: Meaningful ways to observe NDTR.

 

Supports

This blog post contains content related to residential schools, assimilation, ongoing harm and colonial impacts.

Former residential school students can call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports from the Government of Canada.

Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to The Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counselling and crisis intervention.

Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat.

 


 

This post was co-authored by Rochelle Ignacio and Angelina Pelletier.


“Reconciliation is a way of life, continuous, with no end date. It is learning from our lived experiences and understanding one another. It is creating the necessary space for us to heal. It is planting seeds of hope and respect so that our garden blooms for our children.”

‒ Governor General Mary May Simon


We would like to formally acknowledge that September 30, 2022 marks the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. In response to Action 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, the Government of Canada established September 30 as a federal statutory holiday to honour Survivors, their families and communities, and to ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

For more information, see this post.

 

ndtr_sm_banner_1631541000973_engOrange Shirt Day

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which is a grassroots, Indigenous-led movement that honours children who were impacted by the residential school system. Phyllis Webstad, Founder of Orange Shirt Day Society, is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). She created Orange Shirt Day to recognize the harm the residential school system did to children's sense of self-esteem and well-being, and as an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters.

We encourage you, a member of the Tamarack Community, to buy and wear an orange shirt from Indigenous makers and organizations.


Resources to Support Action

Building upon the Resources for Truth and Reconciliation blog post authored by Natasha Pei in 2021, the Tamarack team has compiled several resources that have been co-authored or co-led with Indigenous partners that may help settlers and settler-led organizations take steps towards reconciliation.

As settlers, we all have responsibilities in reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Your journey starts with learning about the histories, understanding modern-day injustices and dismantling and decolonizing systems which continue to oppress Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

 

Foundations: Truth and Reconciliation

  • Introduction to Reconciliation – This webinar recording featuring Charlene Seward of Reconciliation Canada focuses on how settlers can start their truth and reconciliation journeys.


Centering Indigenous people: Culture and ways of knowing in social change work

  • With NOT For – This blog post by Jessica Lazare, an Onkwehonwe woman from the Kanien’kehá:WEBINAR | Applying ABCD in an Urban Indigenous Context-1-1ka territory of Kahnawà:ke, focuses on the importance of youth voices in defining their own needs and in decision-making.

 

Indigenous-Led Movements to Support

  • Shannen’s Dream is an organization working for every First Nations child in Canada to have a safe and comfy school and equitable education.
  • 2 Spirits In Motion Society aims to create, maintain and strengthen a safe and supportive social environment for Two Spirit peoples to feel loved, to be loved, to succeed and to become empowered.


Reading Resources

Read books by Indigenous authors about residential schools and reconciliation
Bilingual Resources
  • Mikana's Decolonial Educational Pathway EN | Parcours éducatif FR
  • CBC News Indigenous EN | CBC Espaces autochtones FR
Government of Canada ResourcesUnited Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples EN (UNDRIP), which is a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world EN | Déclaration des Nations Unies Sur Les Droits Des Peuples Autochtones FR
  • Jordan’s Principle makes sure all First Nations children living in Canada can access the products, services and supports they need when they need them EN | Principe de Jordan FR
  • Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement EN | Convention de règlement relative aux pensionnats indiens FR
  • Reflect on the meaning and action taken following the Statement of apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools EN | Présentation d'excuses aux anciens élèves des pensionnats indiens FR
  • Learn about the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada EN | Commission de vérité et réconciliation du Canada FR
Toolkits
  • The Witness Blanket is a large-scale work of art containing hundreds of items reclaimed from residential schools, churches, government buildings and traditional and cultural structures from across Canada.

 

Events

Communities like Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, are hosting day-long events
  • Find additional events in your own community through your local Friendship Centre, municipality or post-secondary institution.


Film and MediaMedia Indigena podcast

  • Film and TV resources from A7G
Kistahpinanihk-The-Great-Meeting-Place


Courses


Ways to observe beyond Canada

  • Learn about the unique history, contributions, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs of Indigenous Peoples in the community where you have settled
  • Learn more about the tools and programs in place to help support the reclamation, revitalization, maintaining and strengthening of Indigenous languages in in the community where you have settled
  • Learn who is working to advance reconciliation and renew a nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.

Topics:
Reconciliation, Racial Equity, Homepage Blog, Equity


the Tamarack Institute

By the Tamarack Institute

The Tamarack Institute is a connected force of more than 40,000 engaged practitioners and policymakers who work collaboratively to advance positive community change. Learn more here

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