Personal ReconciliACTIONS
Introduction: The TRC*
The Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Committee* (TRC) was created in June 2008 by the Canadian government, residential school survivors and church bodies.
According to the Government of Canada website, the purpose of the TRC was to “document the history and lasting impacts of the Canadian Indian residential school system on Indigenous students and their families”.
The committee had a budget of $72 million dollars, which was used to interview over 6,000 Indigenous people across Canada
The TRC also hosted multiple national events to include the Canadian public in the reconciliation process. The events have helped educate Canadians on not only the residential school system and its effects, but also on how to respect and uplift survivors of the system.
ReconciliACTIONS
In the committee’s final days in 2015, a final report was published. Along with the final report were ‘94 Calls to Action’. The 94 Calls to Action, are clear steps for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada to work towards reconciliation.
The actions are organized into 6 categories: Child care, education, language & culture, health, justice and reconciliation (The complete list can be found linked in the website version of this article)
They are also colloquially known as reconciliACTIONS.
Why You Should Make Your Own
ReconciliACTIONs, and the follow-through of them, can also be defined as active relationship building and correcting. Many of us have been working on reconciliACTIONs before there was a term for them. Creating your own set of ReconciliACTIONS is a personal responsibility.
Every individual’s relationship with the land they live on, the effects of colonization and wrong doings against Indigenous people in their country will vary. Which is why it is so important for individuals to define what reconciliACTIONS mean to them to then make personalized steps:
Be Honest and Real With Yourself
Making your own reconciliACTIONs takes reflection. How do you view the issues that Indigenous people face? Are you sympathetic or empathetic? Are you aware of the issues or are you more removed?
After reflection, research and conversation, you may find out you haven’t been doing as much as you thought you were doing in terms of reconciliation.
Acknowledging where you have been lacking is more important than lying to yourself about how much you’ve been doing. Take this as the first step towards growth in your reconciliation journey.
Make them Personal to You
There are quite a few official calls to action that everyday citizens simply don’t have the means to singlehandedly provide. This is where individuals must adapt and personalize their reconciliACTIONS.
What are your means, what can you contribute to a specific reconciliACTION? Which Indigenous groups are in your area? Who can you reach out to and find out specifically how you can help?
Similar to the prior tip, use your strengths to help where you’re lacking. How can you use the skills and knowledge you already have to help you in your reconciliACTIONS?
Use the S.M.A.R.T. Goals Method
You came up with some ReconciliACTIONS- great! Now how will you keep yourself accountable? How will you make sure your actions are doable?
SMART in SMART goals stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.
Review
• Be honest with yourself
• Make them personal to you
• Use the S.M.A.R.T goals method
Conclusion
Nelson Mandela once said “In the end, reconciliation is a spiritual process, which requires more than just a legal framework. It has to happen in the hearts and minds of people.” We must all remember that we each have a role in reconciliation and that it is an active journey. A journey that has Indigenous voices in the center and non-Indigenous people intentionally listening and acting.
Sources
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1450124405592/1529106060525
https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform-single/beyond-94?&cta=
