There are many different perceptions of truth and reconciliation. The following is a traditional address from Gary Pritchard that provides insight into what it means from an Indigenous perspective.
Orange Shirt Day Address- Gary Pritchard views about Truth and Reconciliation today in September 2021.
"I hear the same little speech, or a version of it, at gala events—literary prizes, political fund-raisers, that sort of thing—when whichever government representative happens to be there reads some kind of acknowledgment before his or her introductory remarks. But you know a phenomenon has really arrived in Canada when it involves hockey. Both the Winnipeg Jets and the Edmonton Oilers began acknowledging traditional lands in their announcements before all home games in the 2017 season. Acknowledgment is beginning to emerge as a kind of accidental pledge of allegiance for Canada—a statement made before any undertaking with a national purpose.
Whenever I hear the acknowledgment read out loud, it provokes strongly conflicted feelings in me. That is not reconciliation. That is not upholding the Honour of the Crown. That is not respecting human rights.
Acknowledge my grandparents, family, friends, colleagues and ancestors who suffered fates worse than death while in the care of these schools. And the legacy of pain and suffering it placed on our people for generations after.
Acknowledge the first residential school – Alderville FN just 10 minutes south of Peterborough ON
Acknowledge the anger and disappointment held by the Indigenous community feels when the Settlers and their community excuses themselves for not knowing about the reality of Canada and how they became truly a Canadian. Stating it simply wasn't taught to me that that in school to justify their irrogance.
Acknowledge that this county's hate for a people spawned and influenced a greater enemy known as Adolf Hitler- but was he as truly evil as a Canadians or Canada? Since it was Canada's Indian Act Model where he took his inspiration for genocide from.
Acknowledge that this country and its Canadians still practices daily genocide towards its First Nations and indigenous peoples with the daily routine of implementing the Indian act and not recognizing commitments made under treaty. Remember where most of you are sitting, the treaty is only 3 years.
A message to all Canadians,
Let's stop talking about the denial of our rights and make a common commitment to protect and uphold our rights.
We have to remind Canada that we have the right to say “no and we have the right to say “yes.
In the words of Reconciliation Canada, it is “based on the idea of restoring friendship and harmony – about resolving differences, accepting the past and working together to build a better future. However, reconciliation is not forgiveness. Canadians need to learn that we haven't establish the truth yet.
Reconciliation involves more than the Indian Residential Schools. It includes reconciling the gamut of colonial injustices, including a fair settlement of land and treaty issues. Although the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was tasked to reveal the truth about the residential school system, it concludes that it was the whole relationship “shaped over time by colonial- ism and racism that needs full attention for the reconciliation process to move forward.
In the words of Justice Murray Sinclair, education brought us here, education will help us get away from this.
Implementing the United Nations Declaration's (UNDRIP) provisions on free, prior and informed consent will ensure that our Nations have a real say in development decisions from the outset. It will allow us to weed out the projects that should never go forward. It will enable us to concentrate our energy on those projects and initiatives that are right for our First Nations.
One thing is becoming clear about the future: we will never be ourselves until indigenous people can be themselves.
We want our voices to be heard. Canada you are still barely listening.
Stop and Reflect
How do the insights from the traditional address above compare to your ideas about what truth and reconciliation means? Do you see similarities? Where might there be differences? See Some thought below for some further ideas.
Some thoughts
When reflecting your perception and those offered in the address did you notice:
- Complexity and Conflicted Feelings concerning acknowledgments of traditional lands. This highlights the complexity of the reconciliation process and how it can evoke different emotions for Indigenous peoples, ranging from hope to skepticism, given the historical injustices endured.
- A call for genuine acknowledgment of the painful legacy of residential schools and the ongoing impacts on Indigenous communities. He challenges the idea that mere acknowledgments are enough and calls for deeper understanding and acceptance of the truth.
- Address the historical injustices and denial of rights. The address highlights the importance of acknowledging the historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples, including the denial of their rights, and how this denial continues to affect their communities.
- Look at reconciliation beyond residential school, emphasizing that reconciliation should address a broader range of colonial injustices, including fair land and treaty settlements. He stresses the need to confront and address the root causes of past and ongoing injustices.
- Listening and empowering Indigenous voices, underscoring the significance of truly listening to the voices and perspectives of Indigenous peoples while implementing UNDRIP to ensure Indigenous Nations have a genuine say in decisions that affect their lands and communities.
- The Journey. The address acknowledges that reconciliation is an ongoing journey that requires a commitment to truth, understanding, and working together to build a better future.
What You Can Do: Acknowledgement and Remembering
One of the most critical aspects of the truth and reconciliation process is remembering and acknowledging. Please add these to your calendars and acknowledge these dates in the future. The below list provides a non-exhaustive collection of recognized dates which represent opportunities for you to further your learning journey, and learn more about what the notion of Truth and [Re]conciliation entails:
- May 5 Red Dress Day honours the spirits of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
- June 21st National Indigenous Peoples Day
- September 30, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
- October 4 is the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people (MMIWG). Today, across the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) we honour the lives and legacies of the victims and survivors, the women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ loved ones impacted by this tragic and on-going violence. While we offer our support through thoughts and prayers today, we must also take action.
- Treaty Week November 5 – 11, 2023