What we do
The aim of Circles for Reconciliation is to establish trusting, meaningful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples as part of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
The means to achieve this is the creation of small gatherings of an equal number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in discussion circles.
Every Circle needs five Indigenous and five non-Indigenous participants. Relationships are built by equal voices.
How we do it
- Each group of ten participants, led by two trained facilitators, meets weekly or biweekly for seven gatherings 90 minutes in length.
- These seven meetings allow for the beginnings of respectful relationships, which the TRC stresses is the basis of reconciliation.
- The participants sit in a circle, providing greater opportunities for sharing and being respectful of traditional Indigenous values and customs.
- Themes for each Circle continue to be developed and, where necessary, are being adapted to different Indigenous customs and practices across Canada.
Did you know...?
Every February, Winnipeg fills with fiddle music, laughter, and the sound of boots on snow during Festival du Voyageur. While many see it as a lively winter celebration, at its heart the festival is a powerful affirmation of Métis history, rights, and living culture.
The festival honours the voyageurs of the North American fur trade, many of whom were the ancestors of today’s Métis people. In the Red River region, relationships between First Nations and European (primarily French and Scottish) traders gave rise to a distinct Métis Nation with its own language, Michif, governance systems, laws, and vibrant cultural traditions. The sash (ceinture fléchée), intricate beadwork, moccasins, and the Red River cart are not simply symbols of the past, they represent a sovereign people deeply rooted in the Prairies.
Celebration also means acknowledging resistance. Louis Riel led the Red River Resistance to defend Métis land, language, and political rights as Canada expanded westward, resulting in the creation of Manitoba through the Manitoba Act. Yet many of the land protections promised to Métis families were undermined through scrip fraud, dispossession, and systemic discrimination, leading to decades of marginalization. Today, Métis land claims, harvesting rights, and self-government remain central to ongoing political and legal negotiations across Canada.
At the festival grounds, visitors experience Métis jigging, fiddle performances, traditional and contemporary foods, cultural workshops, and artisan markets. Through these activities, festival highlights and reinforces that Métis culture is not confined to the fur trade era, it is dynamic, evolving, and deeply alive.
Festival du Voyageur ultimately celebrates more than a seasonal festival, it celebrates the enduring strength and nationhood of the Métis people. The festival runs from February 13-22, so get your tickets now! https://heho.ca/en/
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