The Canadian Parliament recently enacted legislation establishing September 30th as Truth and Reconciliation Day. It is a day set aside for all Canadians to reflect on and honour the legacy of residential schools.
YWCA Edmonton will mark the day by hosting a morning workshop for our staff, with special guest speaker Stephanie Harpe, a local Indigenous activist and MMIWG survivor. Staff will be given the remainder of the day off to honour the day in whichever way is most meaningful to them.
Whether you are using the day to reflect privately or by participating in a group event, we’ve compiled a resource list that may be a helpful reference for your personal Truth & Reconciliation journey. From videos to podcasts to various reading lists and courses, there are many resources available to help you learn more about national Truth & Reconciliation Day.
YWCA Edmonton Power Lunch Series Videos:
- All Our Relations – Tanya Talaga
- Ending the Violence & Inequality (MMIWG) – Josie Nepinak, Nahanni Fontaine, Stephanie Harpe & Brandi Morin
- Ogama Eskwewak: The History and Experience of Indigenous Women Running for Office In Alberta – Katherine Swampy, Elder Taz Augustine, Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes, Gabrielle Blatz
Reports:
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – Calls to Action
- Reclaiming Power & Place: Executive Summary of the Final Report, National Inquiry into Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- Master List of Report Recommendations, National Inquiry into Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Online Courses:
- Indigenous Canada (University of Alberta, free)
- Aboriginal Worldviews and Education (University of Toronto, free)
- Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education (UBC, free)
Readings:
- In This Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth & Reconciliation – edited by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail
- Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death and Hard Truths in a Northern City – Tanya Talaga
- Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditation – Richard Wagamese
- The Comeback – John Raulston Saul
- Our Story: Aboriginal Voices on Canada’s Past
- The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America – Thomas King
- Healing Collective Trauma – Thomas Hübl
- My Grandmother’s Hands – Resmaa Menakem
For Younger Readers:
- When We Were Alone – David Robertson
- Lightfinder – Aaron Paquette
- Secret Path Graphic Novel – Gord Downie
- Shi-shi-etko – Nicola I. Campbell
- My Name is Seepeetza – Shirley Sterling
Podcasts:
Additional Resources:
- Indigenous Ally Toolkit
- The National: Stolen Children: Truth and Reconciliation (CBC Documentary)
- We Were Children (NFB documentary, $2.95 rental fee)
- The Boy Behind the Nickname
- The Sound of Canadian Indigenous – Spotify Playlist
Indigenous Makers:
YWCA Canada Suggested Resources:
- Angry Inuk Documentary (directed by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, YWCA Agvik Nunavut Board President)
- Addressing Race-based laws in Canada – Shaya MacDonald, On the Indian Act, Sex-Based Discrimination and Reconciliation
- Standing in our power: activist YWCA meeting in South Africa – Shaya MacDonald speaks to their experiences of the YWCA World Council in South Africa
- Webinar – Treaty Rights 101 (facilitated by Shaya MacDonald)
