EXPERIENCES CANADA
reconciliation Conversations
What is needed for reconciliation?
even if it’s different from what we’ve learned in our lives.
only then can we all move forward in Reconciliation.
Awareness of the past
common misconception: residential schools are talked about TOO much
Many survivors of residential schools stayed silent about the abuses and injustices they faced in the system, as recounting these lived experiences was often traumatic and difficult.
In fact, a major factor driving the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was because there had been no widespread account of survivor’s stories.
Without these stories, it would be difficult for Canadians to understand the first step of Reconciliation: an awareness of the past.
Please click here to access the video
Common misconception: this is indigenous history. When do we learn about Canadian history?
Indigenous history IS Canadian history. The idea that you can separate the two is based on a one-sided colonial lens of history that many of us have been hearing our whole lives.
Think about the political map of North America. Do you see provinces? Treaty boundaries? Pre-contact languages?
What we learn in school is colonial and can be harmful to Indigenous peoples and communities.
We need to disrupt this one-sided view.
Acknowledgement of harm caused
“While Indigenous children were being mistreated in residential schools being told they were heathens, savages and pagans and inferior people – that same message was being delivered in the public schools of this country.” - Justice Murray Sinclair
& how it has, and still is, negatively impacting Indigenous peoples and communities.
& how it has minimized the harm that’s been caused for Indigenous peoples and communities.
Making amends for harm caused
& figure out how you can support organizations who are advancing Reconciliation
to fight against racism and support Indigenous peoples and communities
Action to change behaviour
“Reconciliation is not an Aboriginal problem.
It’s a Canadian problem.”
—Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
There are actions we can take in a variety of forms (education, health, language and culture, etc.)
Click here for a youth-friendly version of the Calls to Action
& implement what you can in your community to raise awareness, acknowledge harm, and make amends!
Reconciliation conversations - challenge
Step 1: Watch a residential school survivor’s story from “Where are the Children?” (Click here to access the website). *trigger warning*
Step 2: Create an art piece for Project of Heart to commemorate a child who died in residential school or to honour a survivor. The piece can be digital or physical.
Step 3: Take a picture of your work (if you created a physical tile).
Step 4: Upload your work to the Experiences Canada’s Reconciliation Conversations Facebook group (by clicking here) so we can create a mosaic of Reconciliation!