Reconciliation is a journey shared by every person in Canada. It involves both learning and reflection, and a call to action founded in knowledge, awareness and understanding.
We all have an opportunity to help advance reconciliation. Review the series of suggested actions and resources below curated by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, and consider attending local events to honour the upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2023.
- Wearing an Orange Shirt: You can purchase an orange shirt from an official merchandise supplier to ensure that a portion of the proceeds are going back to the Orange Shirt Society and other Indigenous-supporting organizations.
- Connecting with your local Friendship Centre: Friendship Centres offer a wide number of services and programs to Indigenous People living in urban areas, as well as resources to members of the public. Use the directory of Friendship Centres to find centres across the country.
- Taking part in a ceremony or event near you: Many local groups will be hosting ceremonies or learning events to acknowledge the significance of this day. We suggest connecting with local Indigenous groups to find out what events will be taking place. Please note that many ceremonies will be intended for an Indigenous-only audience, and it is important to respect that you are not able to attend all events offered.
- Volunteering with Indigenous-serving organizations: There are organizations across Canada that are created by and for Indigenous communities, and many of these offer information about how Canadians can volunteer with them to support their causes. You can connect with your local Friendship Centre to find out about ways you can contribute to Indigenous-serving organizations. You can also reference the charities listed in the guide below under the subheading “Donating to Indigenous charities”.
- Supporting Indigenous artists: Art is a very important and powerful tool that gives many Indigenous People a means of self-expression. In addition to the media listed in the resource guide, there are some organizations that list Indigenous artists and art such as the National Film Bureau, the Indigenous Arts Collective, and the Indigenous Art Centre.
- Learning about Indigenous culture and history from Indigenous perspectives: Understanding the history of colonialism and its impact on Indigenous peoples and communities is an important first step in reconciliation. We recommend Indigenous Canada as a way to begin your learning journey. This is a free, online, certificate course from the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta. The North Vancouver City Library also offers books, online resources and learning related to Truth and Reconciliation and decolonization.
- Purchasing from an Indigenous-owned business: The Government of Canada has created a database of Indigenous-owned businesses to find businesses across the country that you can support and partner with.
- Exploring CCDI’s resource guide: CCDI’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day educational guide (PDF) features many books, movies, and TV shows that you can view outside of your workday.
- Listening to the CCDI podcast, released on September 30th, 2022: The podcast guest is Laura Arndt from the Survivors’ Secretariat, hosted by Anne-Marie Pham, the CEO of CCDI.
- Watching Indigenous made content: APTN TV is the first national Indigenous broadcaster in the world, with programming by, for and about Indigenous Peoples, to share with all Canadians as well as viewers around the world.
- Donating to Indigenous charities: Canada Helps provides a list of charities that support or promote the needs of Indigenous communities.
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