Engaging with Indigenous Worldviews on T&R: Working toward a Community-Based Process

June 14, 2008
Native Education Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia.

SUMMARY

This public forum coincided with the week of the government’s apology of June 11, 2008 regarding Canada's Residential School Policy. As a result, space was opened up for dialogue, a space that might not have happened earlier.

One hundred and thirty eight people registered for the event, both before and on the day, while about 18 who registered before the date did not attend. We have decided to send a compilation of all the small group reports rather than summarize  them, as each person’s words were so strong and there was much insight that would be lost in a

summary.  We have included all the legible answers to the two questions and only edited out ones that were not clear.  We recommend you take time to read and reflect on what was said in the small groups.

Having reviewed the small group reports and the process of the forum, as the planning team, we would like to make the following recommendations to whomever will be organizing truth and reconciliation processes in their communities.

*The circle should be used as much as possible as circle teachings assume all are equal in the circle.  No one faith practice is greater than any other in the circle.

*Non-Indigenous people have to be invited into the circle and need to understand the principle of equality as well as understand their role in this context. Non-Indigenous people can not assume bystander status or step out of the circle by assuming a place of power.

*Anti-racism training and learning about white privilege would greatly benefit white people who want to attend truth and reconciliation forums and could be part of the journey of white people in this process.  For those who have not had this training,  it could be offered prior to engagement with residential school survivors and their descendents.

WHAT DOES Truth & Reconciliation MEAN FOR YOU?

‐ The greatest dream of my life, acknowledge the pain: work together.

‐ I don’t have a definition – it is collective suffering.

‐ Relate to the pain.

‐ Relate to injustice, a political opportunity.

‐ Despite the injustice not bitter, I believe in education both for self and others – my role is to be at meetings like this supporting issues while still having pride in our country. Continue to be moved by the Great Spirit.

‐ Has a lot of personal meaning (originally from South Africa) experienced reconciliation there.  Importance of truth and forgiveness; however not a lot has changed in SA. Want to be part of something that addresses the systemic problems. A lot needs to be done b/c reconciliation is a long way down the road...How can I contribute here.

‐ In looking back ... visited a residential school as a school child and it changed my life. I had no idea. Learned hard lessons about racism. Currently looking for better ways to integrate traditional healing. T&R is about not becoming mainstream – and not having non-aboriginals being immobilized by guilt – accept responsibility collectively for what
happened in the past and what can happen in the future (in a good way). Wants to be an ally. Wants to follow this path because it is right convergence.

‐ Speaking from the heart, sees it as both a personal and collective journey. Grew up seeing both sides. Let’s talk about teaching lies in schools. Wasn’t allowed to reveal identity. Get rid of shame – where do we begin? How do we shift from victimhood and take control of the future.  We are not a conquered ppl. We are allies. Really need to get the Canadian pop to understand on a grassroots level – to break down stereotypes. This didn’t happen a long time ago – this is a contemporary issue – deal with contemporary institutional racism – let’s really tell the truth about healthcare/education/respect (can’t be us and them).

‐ How do you break a society? – attack the family language -  it has to be built back up.

‐ Deal with the intergenerational issues (make a paradigm shift based on nurturing recognizing one’s own deficits in the past).

‐ A fundamental shift needs to take place in government’s approach and attitude. Hold government accountable. Treaties need to be upheld and honoured.

‐ Healing comes from action.

‐ Accept and acknowledge responsibility in the oppression.

‐ Process is sacred. Truth needs to lead to justice to achieve reconciliation.

‐ What would it take for all Canadians to get from shame-apology to thanks and gratitude.

‐ Truth is sharing stories. Reconciliation is confronting stereotypes, acknowledging them.

‐ All have own truths – we need to accept it as such. Don’t like word reconciliation – I don’t have anything to reconcile.

‐ Truth is acknowledging who I am, where I came from – trauma and all that pain because of it. Reconciliation harder... involves forgiveness. Also using my voice – saying my truth when others show their racist ignorance...

* FULL REPORT from the event is available at http://www.interfaithjustpeace.org/multimedia.php

We would like to thank Tom McCallum, Madeleine MacIvor, and Bob Joseph who were part of the planning and work team for the forum.  We would like to thank Sylvia Dennis for the food. Denise Nadeau and Bernadette Spence for the Interfaith Summer Institute for Justice, Peace and Social Movements.

Filmmaker Contact:

http://www.interfaithjustpeace.org

director@interfaithjustpeace.org

Producer's Name: Interfaith Summer Institute for Justice, Peace and Social Movements

Year of Production: 2008

Country: Canada

Region: British Columbia