“From the outset, this Commission has emphasized that reconciliation is not a one-time event; it is a multi-generational journey that involves all Canadians.”
-(Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future page 209)

 

“Why don’t we do better, when we know better?”


“It is not enough to know;


It is not enough to care:


We have to do something!”


[Cindy Blackstock, Pathways to Reconciliation Conference, Winnipeg, June 2016.]
Getting to know, respect and appreciate one another through our circles is already a significant action toward reconciliation.

Actions you can take as individuals

  • 1. Read the TRC’s 10 principles of reconciliation
  • 2. Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
  • 3. Read the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • 4. Sign a petition
  • 5. Attend a meeting or event
  • 6. Join a group such as Circles for Reconciliation
  • 7. Contact a politician
  • 8. Contact another government official
  • 9. Write a newspaper
  • 10. Form a group
  • 11. Become a mentor
  • 12. Make a donation
  • 13. Explore developing a Healing Forest in your community. Winnipeg
  • 13. NEW JULY 2021Explore developing a Healing Forest in your community. Here is a link to the one in Winnipeg - Kapabamayak Achaak Healing Forest.
  • 14. Talk to your supervisor/employer about taking action on reconciliation
  • 15. Read a book about Indigenous history in Canada • Three examples; Thomas King, “The Inconvenient Indian” • Chelsea Vowel, “Indigenous Writes” • Richard Wagamese, “Indian Horse"
  • 16. Meet Me at the Bell Tower  (A meeting every Friday at 6.p.m. At the Bell Tower at 610 Selkirk, Winnipeg. It is all about hope and positive development for youth in the North End.)
  • 17. Sign-up as a volunteer for National Indigenous Peoples Day.
  • 18.  NEW JUNE 2020Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA), a Restorative Justice-based program of Initiatives for Just Communities, is looking for Support Volunteers who are passionate about community safety and no more victims. Please contact us at cosawpg@initiativesjc.org or visit our website at www.initiativesjc.org.

Actions you can take as a business

  • 1. Host a Circle for Reconciliation
  • 2. Have your Indigenous employees invite non-Indigenous employees to form a circle.
  • 3. Contact the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba for a free speaker
  • 4. Contact the Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce
  • 5. Learn about Aboriginal Skills and Employment Strategy (ASET), federal government employment support for Indigenous people
  • 6. Learn about the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC)
  • 7. Reach out to an Elder or Indigenous leader for advice on how to proceed or contact Circles for Reconciliation
  • 8. Sponsor an Indigenous event
  • 9. Host an Indigenous celebration or event
  • 10. Promote the naming or renaming of sites to original Indigenous names
  • 10. Promote the naming or renaming of sites to original Indigenous names
  • 11. Contact a business that has had success creating a partnership
  • 12. Contact “Indigenous Works” in Saskatoon
  • 13. Contact “Working Warriors”
  • 14. Invite an Indigenous person to sit on a board you are on
  • 15. Other suggestions?