September 30 marked Canada’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, a day that was first established in 2021 to recognize the harmful impact colonization has had on the original people of this land. Although it has come and gone, the specific date is of little importance. The day merely serves as a reminder to a reality that we need to carry with us every day.

We are all the product of colonization. Whether you are a new immigrant to this country, multiple generation Canadian, or an Indigenous person whose people have stewarded this land, the force of colonization has shaped all of our present realities. It’s a scenario that cannot be reversed, ‘fixed’, or contained; it can only be accepted as truth. Only from this place can we build bridges of connection, reconciliation, and hope for our collective future. 

Residential Schools Raise Awareness
For too long, the impact of colonization has been ignored by Canadians. That is, until May of 2021 when the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the former ‘Kamloops Indian Residential School’ rocked Canadians to their core and garnered national attention. The Canadian government previously recognized and apologized for their role in these atrocities in 2008 (which coincided with the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission), but the weight and scope of this reality did not resonate with most Canadians prior to this exposure. Many others like it followed, and the total estimate rose to roughly 6000 First Nations children that lost their lives to this genocide.

While these tragedies are not news to First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities, many Canadians are not properly informed and these issues largely remain out of sight and out of mind. Therefore acknowledgement became the first step towards reconciliation. 

Truth: The Rise of Land Acknowledgements
Given this reality, Canadian citizens have wanted to show support to the Indigenous community and one result has been an exponential rise in land acknowledgements during a major event, political speech, or public gathering. 

However, what began as an authentic intention to honor these communities has unfortunately not been followed by any real policy action or implementation. Hayden King, the Executive Director of the Yellowhead Institute who helped popularize territorial acknowledgements, admits he regrets doing so. In a 2019 interview with CBC, King sums it up by saying “It effectively excuses them (settlers) and offers them an alibi for doing the hard work of learning about their neighbours”.

Instead, King offers up a new way of viewing territory acknowledgments: “It’s one thing to say, “Hey, we’re on the territory of the Mississaugas or the Anishinaabek and the Haudenosaunee.” It’s another thing to say, “We’re on the territory of the Anishinaabek and the Haudenosaunee and here’s what that compels me to do.

Reconciliation: From Awareness to Action

Awareness of the problem is the first step to any solution, but it must be followed by meaningful action. The longer territorial acknowledgements remain meaningless words, the more they build walls and not bridges.

It’s time for Canadians  to take action to support their neighboring Indigenous communities. This begins with the education of the needs of these communities through understanding Canada’s history as a treaty nation. These original treaties have been unilaterally altered by our government since their inception in ways that directly impact the livelihood and security of Indigenous groups, while also having detrimental effects on the air, water and soil that we all share.

The Path to a Collective Future
What if, instead of highlighting our differences, these treaties brought us together? What if, through all the years of pain, separation and provincialism, they were the blueprint for uniting all of Canada? We believe that our economy and the many new innovative industries that are being developed can be the focal point for a new relationship. 

In that spirit, here are some resources to begin your journey:

https://www.firstpeopleslaw.com/public-edu

https://yellowheadinstitute.org/
https://www.indigenouswatchdog.org/
https://naheyawin.ca/products/foundations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAGHDrSRd4k&t=556s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3R5Uy5O_Ds&t=2s

Thank you to Lewis Cardinal, Hunter Cardinal, and Ikake Rising for providing the resources and context for this post.