Sunshine House: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Today is the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — a statutory holiday to honour the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. The establishment of this day was called for in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports back in 2015.
Here are some ideas we have for how settlers (non-Indigenous Canadians) can observe this day:
EDUCATE yourself about our history. Up until now, Canada has been very eager to get to the reconciliation part while ignoring the first thing — truth. Reading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report is one way to do this. Following Indigenous folks on social media is another. It’s important to access the information that is already available, instead of demanding more from Indigenous people.
EXAMINE your own history and find the ways that you have benefitted, directly or not, from the genocide of Indigenous people. When your ancestors came here, were they given farmland? Were they used as tools of the Empire to extract resources from the land? Did they belong to churches that participated in the IRS system?
SPEAK openly with your family, friends and neighbours about colonialism and genocide. Challenge them when they say racist things and share the truths that you have learned. Have difficult conversations and confront people.
TRANSFER wealth and power to Indigenous people. Give money (without condition) to Indigenous-led grassroots organizations and movements — especially to ones that cannot provide you with a charitable tax receipt in return. Here is a list of recommendations: