Reconciliation
Unfiltered First Nation perspective that breaks down the issue of truth & reconciliation.
Challenges and obstacles to reconciliation
Two most requested dialogue topics
- Canada's colonization history, and
- Obstacles to reconciliation
Other dialogue topics usually include clarifying common misconceptions settler Canadians have towards Indigenous peoples, and Canada's land question (aka Aboriginal rights and title).
Canada's Colonization History
Over the past 150+ years, Canada has utilized four primary colonization and assimilation instruments:
- Indian Act
- Indian Reserve System (and Indian Reserve Pass System))
- Indiian Residential School System, and
- Indian Band Adminstration Offie
Obstacles to reconciliation
- White privilege
- Chambers of commerce
- Systemic racism
- Legislation (Indian Act)
- Systems (Indian Reserve and Indian Residential School System), and
- institutions
Four levels of reconciliation
To obtain a good understanding of reconciliation, one must break it down into its simpler components.
The biggest obstacle facing reconciliation in Canada is ignorance and ego. Too many settler Canadians have no understanding why Indigenous issues are constantly in the news. Too many think it irrelevant because that history is 'so far' in the past. 'It's not my fault' syndrome afflicts far too many settler Canadians.
Too many reconciliation processes gloss over Canada's truth - the path of least discomfort. Canada has been on this route for over 100 years. Ignorance, silence, inaction maintains the status quo.
Is your firm, organization or association ok with simply providing a land and territory acknowledgement. Or spending a few minutes on September 30 sending out 'thoughts and prayers?' The path beyond simple rhetoric is surprisingly simple.
If you are truly serious about strengthening your company, organization or associations Indigenous knowledge footprint, do it the right way.
Examples and potential role models
Settler influencers in the area of reconciliation
Instead of inventing a new reconciliation wheels every time, look to examples that have track records of succeeding. They exist and will save time, energy, resources. Many settler Canadians have moved Canada's reconciliation needle in a positive direction through their actions and demonstrated evolution of thought.