Healing Gaia

Toward Meaningful Reconciliation with the Founding Nations in Canada

Canada is a nation of treaties. These legally-binding agreements between sovereign nations have no expiry date and are just as valid today as when they were originally signed.

By Doreen Nicoll
Published June 30, 2018

It's been a year since I asked Canadian settlers to become allies of the founding nations of this land and to work towards meaningful reconciliation by reading, watching, or listening to one Indigenous viewpoint each week. So I thought this would be a good time to check in and take inventory of how things were going.

Have you found out what unceded territory you live on? Canada is a nation of treaties. These legally-binding agreements between sovereign nations have no expiry date and are just as valid today as when they were originally signed. Find out the nation that inhabited the land you live on, the treaty that governs it, and how nation to nation negotiations are going.

While you're at it, look into the location of the residential school that was closest to you. The CBC's interactive map makes it quick and easy. It's surprising how many settlers had residential schools in their very own backyards and never knew it.

Did you order a copy of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action? This tiny booklet divided into three powerful sections covers the ten principles of reconciliation; the 94 calls to action; and the 46 articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

The calls to action are specific actions that need to be undertaken to redress the residential school legacy and promote reconciliation. While UNDRIP formally establishes and maintains mutual respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. Taken together, these documents initiate the process of repairing relationships between Indigenous and settler communities.

To order your copy, and one for a friend, contact the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation or call toll-free 1-855-415-4534. Cost is $7 per booklet.

Now, let's add a few more books to your summer reading list:

Remember to share what you're learning with all the children that you know and love. Here's a special list of children's books that are perfect to read and discuss together:

A few movies and documentaries for those summertime rainy days will help pass the time in a reconstructive way:

Now, some music:

As for straightforward points of view and creative, innovative First Nation, Metis and Inuit ideas, listen to Unreserved with Rosanna Deerchild on CBC Radio One and choose from a wide variety of shows on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.

Again, this year, it's impossible for me to celebrate Canada's 'birthday' while Indigenous treaty claims are ignored and basic human rights remain unmet.

But, I have hope that once Canadians make an honest effort to familiarize themselves with Canada's horrific treatment of First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples that we can work together to bring about truthful reconciliation.

So, the challenge going forward, take part in 150 Days of Reconcili-Action by joining others across the country taking the #NEXT150 Challenge. Together we can work nation with nation to make the next 150 years something to celebrate.

Doreen Nicoll is a feminist and a member of several community organizations working diligently to end poverty, hunger and gendered violence.

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