The Winnipeg administrative offices of Circles for Reconciliation Inc. are on Treaty 1 territory – the traditional land of the Ininiw (Cree), Anishinábé (Ojibwé), Anisininew (Ojibwé Cree), Dakota and Dene people, as well as the Birthplace of the Métis Nation and the Heart of the Métis Homeland. Circles for Reconciliation is an Indigenous-led non-profit corporation, with at least 51 % of our Board of Directors being peoples of First Nation, Inuit, or Métis status. Circles for Reconciliation is a registered charity, registration no. 748256930RR0001.
Circles for Reconciliation is grateful for all who have joined the journey to reconciliation on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. We acknowledge that Tkaronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa Bands. As of October 31, 2023, we sadly had to lay off the Toronto Team due to severe lack of funding. Our Winnipeg team will continue to address the waiting registrants or hosts in this area.
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.
Circles for Reconciliation is pleased to announce our webinar. This webinar is designed to further engage our waiting and patient participants for assignment to the circles. It will provide information to continue to “create new relationships that are based on mutual recognition, mutual respect, sharing and mutual responsibility”. (TRC 2015).
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Loretta Ross, Treaty Relations Commissioner
Norman Meade, University of Manitoba Elder in Residence
This is a fee event in support of the community circles that continue to be moving forward.
Event registration fee: $50.00
All are welcome to attend!
Download our poster for the December 6, 2024 Webinar.
Nominate Circles for Reconciliation in the #100kForGivingTuesday campaign starting November 26th to help us secure a $10,000 grant and support reconciliation efforts!
Your support will give us the opportunity to continue the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s recommendations through the 94 Calls to Actions and our Themes discussed in the Talking Circles.
Visit the Western Financial Group Facebook page or post a short video about your nomination to Facebook using #100kforGivingTuesday and #GivingTuesdayCA and tag CFR’s Facebook account.
https://www.facebook.com/westernfinancialgroup
Two videos about the 2023 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba
2024 National Indigenous Peoples Day Highlights
New Theme Video
Kéhtéyátis (Elder) Clarence Anderson shares a story about The Mouse and The Weasel speaking in Cree. “If you talk to me, I will be your friend too…”
Circles for Reconciliation is recognizing the principles in Call To Action #14 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Report – “i. Aboriginal languages are a fundamental and valued element of Canadian culture and society, and there is an urgency to preserve them.” This video is used in the theme presentations in our Sharing Circles. Video editing provided by Austin Apetagon.
Read more about Kéhtéyátis (Elder) Clarence Anderson at this link.