If you live in Canada, you know that we recently observed a new federal holiday on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
As allies to our indigenous neighbours, I feel it's our responsibility to be informed, so this month I'm sharing a number of articles, videos, podcasts and books I've found impactful and important – for both adults and kids.
From the Government of Canada's website:
"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.
"There were 140 federally run Indian Residential Schools which operated in Canada between 1831 and 1998.
"The last school closed only 23 years ago. Survivors advocated for recognition and reparations and demanded accountability for the lasting legacy of harms caused."The Truth and Reconciliation Commission ran from 2008 to 2015 and provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools policy with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences.
"The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has become the permanent archive for the statements, documents and other materials the Commission gathered, and its library and collections are the foundation for ongoing learning and research.The Commission released its final report detailing 94 calls to action. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration."
1. PODCAST: Jesse Wente on The Current with Matt Galloway | CBC Radio
2. ONLINE COURSE: Deyen – An Invitation to Transform: Canadian History Through the Lens of Indigenous Women
3. VIDEO: What is reconciliation? | CBC Kids News
4. ARTICLE: How To Talk To Kids About The National Day For Truth And Reconciliation | CBC Parents
5. ARTICLE: Wearing orange shirts on September 30 is a great start—but you can do more | Today's Parent
6. ARTICLE: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action | Government of Canada
7. VIDEO: The Honourable Murray Sinclair, Queen’s University Chancellor and former chair of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
8. PODCAST: TELUS Talks with Tamara Taggart
9. ARTICLE: Murray Sinclair on reconciliation, anger, unmarked graves—and a headline for this story | Maclean's
10. VIDEO: Truth and Reconciliation | Kevin Lamoureux | TEDxUniversityofWinnipeg
11. ARTICLE: Journalist Jesse Wente has spent a lifetime being uncomfortable. Join him, won’t you? | The Globe and Mail
12. BOOKS: 48 books by Indigenous writers to read to understand residential schools | CBC