During Winter Reading break, I attended the Indigenous Relations Training program at the University of Calgary. And I would to re-share the major learnings that I had with my community as an act of reciprocity.
In photo: Indigenous Blanket Exercise
The Indigenous presenters at this training had given me the gift of truth and knowledge and for that, I have the responsibility to share and spread the truth.
I can’t and won’t try to retell their stories, their truth. If you want to learn, consider taking part in these courses or listening/reading to stories from Indigenous Peoples.
However, I will tell you the questions the training left me with:
Who are “the true Canadians”?
What does it mean to be a Canadian?
How was the country we are living in truly built upon?
Why has the truth been hidden and never taught in schools?
How could the Canadian government be so cruel with their assimilation tactics toward Indigenous cultures, children and families?
Why aren’t stories of the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls getting more media attention?
Who should the lands we are living on belong to?
How can the truth be told and taught to the general public?
What can I contribute to truth and reconciliation?
How do we move forward with reconciliation?
I would like to thank the instructors, presenters, storytellers that led this course and brought knowledge and truth to us:
– Elder Art Cunningham
– Noella Wells
– Gerald Ratt, UCalgary Indigenous Engagement Office
– Dr. Victoria Bouvier
– Tapisa Kilabuk
– Sophia Pancic, UCalgary Writing Symbol Lodge
Courses that you attend to learn more about Indigenous history in Canada:
– UCalgary Indigenous Relations Training
– UAlberta Indigenous
Recommended books:
– Five Little Indians
– Indigenous Writes
– 94 Calls to Action and the Truth and Reconciliation Report
– United Nations Declaration of Rights for Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
– 21 Things you Didn’t Know about the Indian Act
– There’s Something in the Water
Recommended movies/films:
– Kappiataittut (Fearless: Birth of Nunavut) on CBC Gem
– Naluk Night
– NFB Indigenous Collection
#indigenouspeoples #truthandreconciliation