Sproat 1

Kenzie Sproat

Mrs. Baudu

English A30

11 December 2018

Impact of Reconciliation on Canadian Society

Racism and prejudice surrounding Indigenous peoples (Vowel 10-11) have been an

unfortunate plague to Canada’s identity for years. Canada claims to be a multicultural nation, yet

many of its citizens have a negative view towards Indigenous peoples and their cultural

practices. Reconciliation is necessary to enable non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples to have a

positive relationship. In the past, many Indigenous children and adults were treated like lesser

human beings in many ways. Indigenous individuals were treated this way for multiple

generations, which makes Reconciliation unattainable without multiple generations of

commitment and dedication. Reconciliation in action means spreading awareness about the

struggle all Indigenous peoples have faced in response to the treatment of their people as well as

themselves. Reconciliation can help alleviate the tensions between Indigenous peoples and the

rest of the population, as well as potentially change Canada’s overall identity. Canada’s identity

depends on knowing the priority of Reconciliation, demonstrating Reconciliation in action, and

recognizing the potential impact of Reconciliation on contemporary society. Knowing the

priority of Reconciliation is the first step to attaining the goals associated with it in society.

The priority of Reconciliation depends on the understanding of what Reconciliation is as

a whole. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) aims to create a new and

positive relationship between the Indigenous communities and the non-Indigenous people of

Canada. Reconciliation cannot be defined, but the TRC states, “[i]t means one thing to someone,
 Sproat 2

and perhaps carries a very different feeling or meaning to someone else. It is at its core very

individual, yet when considered collectively, [R]econciliation can change the very way we look

at ourselves and at our fellow citizens” (Truth and Reconciliation). In other words,

Reconciliation means something different to everyone, but the general goal of Reconciliation

remains the same. Reconciliation can change the way Canada is viewed worldwide, but the

participation of all Canadians is needed for Reconciliation to be a realistic objective for the

future. This participation begins with educating Canadian youth about Reconciliation and the

hardships Indigenous peoples have had to face in the past, as well as the hardships they face

today as a result. Murray Sinclair, the chair of the TRC, says the following about education in

Canada, “[w]e need to look at the way we educate children, we need to look at the way we

educate ourselves, and we need to look at what it is that our textbooks say about Aboriginal

people. We need to look at what it is that Aboriginal people themselves are allowed to say within

the educational system and about their own history” (Truth and Reconciliation). Educating youth

in Canada also depends on the ability for Indigenous individuals themselves to explain the

history of the distress they have endured in the past. Indigenous peoples have experienced these

hardships firsthand, and without their input, Reconciliation will not influence society to its full

potential. The TRC makes it possible for Indigenous peoples to speak up about Reconciliation

and what it means to them.

Awareness about the history of the suffering Indigenous peoples have faced in the past is

growing, but time is necessary for that awareness to make an impact. The ability for Indigenous

peoples to speak up about Reconciliation is imperative for Reconciliation to be a reasonable

objective in the future. Ivana Yellowback, an Indigenous Canadian, offers her words on what

Reconciliation means to her in an interview with CBC news;

 Sproat 3

[R]econciliation is the treaties, honouring and acknowledging our treaties. The reason I say ‘our’

is because it's all of ours. Our communities are sovereign, distinct nations. We are not minorities,

we are Indigenous nations. Our nations made an agreement with Canada on a nation-to-nation

basis. These were peace and friendship treaties. In these treaties, we did not cede our lands.

These are still our territories, these are still our lands. (Monkman)

Canada is still treaty territory, and honouring that will allow Canadians to recognize the land

they live on is land shared with Indigenous peoples, whether they live in proximity to them or

not. Many Canadians live in denial with the aspect that Indigenous peoples are just as much a

part of Canada as the rest of the population. Indigenous peoples also recognize there is work to

be done on both ends of the relationship between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples. In

order for Reconciliation to be attainable, Indigenous people must be respectful and kind towards

non-Indigenous peoples, and non-Indigenous people must do likewise. Maya Nabigon, another

Indigenous Canadian citizen states,

[t]he term [R]econciliation … is the healing of two nations coming together to find common

ground and to move forward on any difficulties they have had. When I think about

reconciliation, as an Indigenous woman, I feel like the term has been used to pacify people. It's

thrown around loosely. It kind of troubles me, and makes me realize that there's a lot of work to

do on our end as Indigenous people[s]. But I see it, I see the youth coming up and it makes me so

proud. In order for us to stand as a nation and to reconcile, we need to be strong in who we are

and with our identity. (Monkman)

Reconciliation is beyond the reach of Canadians if both non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples

do not jointly participate. Indigenous peoples should be open to working with non-Indigenous

citizens of Canada, and non-Indigenous people need to have the same approach towards
 Sproat 4

Indigenous peoples. Apologies need to be made towards Indigenous peoples; however, they are

meaningless if they are not followed by action. Reconciliation in action is already being seen

throughout Canada, but educating Canadian citizens about the Calls to Action will allow for all

of Canada to participate.

The TRC Calls to Action were introduced in 2015, which was a strong step forward in

the process of Reconciliation. Canada moved passed apologizing for their previous actions and

into embodying those apologies into society. However, that doesn’t mean Canada is anywhere

close to achieving Reconciliation. The Calls to Action cover many rights that Indigenous peoples

were denied for years, ranging from child welfare to informing newcomers to Canada about

Indigenous history and background. The Calls to Action are a basis for Canadians to recognize

and incorporate into their everyday lives. They are described as “individual instructions to guide

governments, communities and faith groups down the road to [R]econciliation” (Beyond 94

Truth). If all Canadians read and understand the Calls to Action, Reconciliation will be a much

stronger possibility for the future. The Calls to Action also cover Indigenous people's rights to

know where their family members who attended and died at residential schools are buried. This

allows Indigenous peoples to find closure when facing their painful past. The Calls to Action

mean nothing if not actually acted upon. Charlene Bearhead, education lead for the National

Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, states, “[t]his is not a short-term project: this is who we are

as neighbours, colleagues, school mates, and families in community. We have the privilege of

living during a time when we can redefine what has been the darkest part of being Canadian”

(Bearhead). The Calls to Action will not automatically accomplish Reconciliation, but rather

provide a tool for Canadians to spread the idea of Reconciliation. Canadians can read the Calls to

Action and try to incorporate the calls that apply to them into their lives. In addition to this,
 Sproat 5

Canadians can recognize the great opportunity they have to be a part of Reconciliation in

Canada. The TRC, through the Calls to Action, want to ensure all Canadians know that

Indigenous peoples are a substantial part of Canada’s past, present, and future. Many national

events in Canada embody many aspects of the Calls to Action.

Many national events are held in recognition of the history of Indigenous peoples

suffering assimilation and cultural genocide, which is all part of Reconciliation in action. This

helps in healing the relationship between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples. One of the

most distinct movements is Orange Shirt Day which takes place every year on September

thirtieth. All over Canada, people are seen walking outside wearing orange shirts in support of

residential school survivors. Residential schools were schools only Indigenous children were

required to attend. While attending the schools, they would be forced to stop practicing their

language and culture and would be brutally punished if they did not obey. The Orange Shirt Day

movement represents the story of a young Indigenous girl named Phyllis Webstad who entered a

residential school wearing a new orange shirt, only for her to be stripped of it to wear the school

uniform. In Bob Joseph’s article about Orange Shirt Day, he states, “Ms. Webstad’s story is the

nucleus for what has become a national movement to recognize the experience of survivors of

Indian residential schools, honour them, and show a collective commitment to ensure that every

child matters” (Joseph). Every year, this movement spreads awareness about Indigenous history

and opens up the opportunity for Reconciliation by telling the story of just one of the countless

children whose lives were affected by residential schools. More and more Canadians join the

movement as time goes on. Another national event in recognition of Indigenous history is

National Indigenous Peoples Day. The holiday, which began in 1996, takes place annually on

June twenty-first. It is a day dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the culture of Indigenous
 Sproat 6

peoples. The celebration is a day for Indigenous peoples to share their culture with the world in

festivals across Canada. National Indigenous Peoples Day is also an opportunity for learning

about Indigenous language and culture. Justin Trudeau, regarding the holiday, states, “[a]s we

celebrate Indigenous cultures and communities, we also acknowledge the oppression and

discrimination Indigenous Peoples have experienced for centuries. Canada cannot move forward

if Indigenous Peoples continue to be held back” (Abedi). These events help to raise awareness

about Indigenous history and culture. When Reconciliation is celebrated, more people will

become involved, therefore allowing Reconciliation to be known throughout all of Canada.

However, Reconciliation should not only be recognized on days of national events, but rather, it

should be recognized in everyday society.

The potential impact Reconciliation could have on contemporary society is substantial.

Right now, and especially in the past, Indigenous peoples have been outcasted due to the

prejudice surrounding their race. This prejudice is entirely unjust. Reconciliation will allow

Canadians to live in harmony with one another within their communities. An equally shared

nation between Indigenous peoples and the rest of the population of Canada is the goal. This will

allow for the history of Indigenous peoples to be shared. In addition to this, it will allow diversity

to be celebrated and Indigenous culture and language to be cumulative with non-Indigenous

culture and language. Reconciliation is also changing the atmosphere within schools all around

Canada. Peter Stoicheff, president of the University of Saskatchewan states, “[R]econciliation is

changing who we are and how we go about our teaching, discovery and outreach missions. This

involves deep introspection, important learning and meaningful change. We have generations of

work ahead of us, but we are committed to becoming respectful partners in [R]econciliation”

(Office of the Treaty). Many of the same views are shared by other universities throughout
 Sproat 7

Canada. If Reconciliation is a common goal among all schools, Indigenous peoples will feel

more welcome, therefore creating relationships among other students both inside and outside of

the schools. This will allow for social experiences to be shared between non-Indigenous and

Indigenous peoples without conflict, creating a better, inclusive quality of life for all.

Reconciliation will empower Indigenous peoples, allowing them to have the same opportunities

as non-Indigenous people when it comes to careers, education and recognition. This imagined

future for Canada will take time and dedication, but Reconciliation has already come a long way.

Christopher Beck, through the dialogue of a short story he wrote about a future reconciled

Canada, states, “[a] future which, unlike the future from my childhood, is not just filled with

hope for love and understanding [for Indigenous peoples], but also for the continued growth of

these things” (Beck). Reconciliation will prosper if it stays on course and the number of

supporters and activists continues to grow. Reconciliation should be recognized as an

opportunity to make a difference in society among all Canadians. Canada’s claim to being a

multicultural nation depends on the success of Reconciliation in contemporary society.

Reconciliation is imperative if Canada wishes to be recognized as a fully inclusive and

multicultural nation. The Truth and Reconciliation commission of Canada is a main contributor

to Reconciliation and the goals associated with it. Non-Indigenous individuals, with recognition

and compliance to Reconciliation, will accept and celebrate Indigenous culture in the years to

come. Reconciliation in action will help spread awareness about the issue and ultimately bring

forth development in Canadian society. Canada’s honourable identity depends on educating

Canadians on the priority of Reconciliation, demonstrating the Calls to Action, and knowing the

potential impact of Reconciliation on contemporary society. Educating the youth about the

priority of Reconciliation and how it could better Canadian society is essential for Canada to be
 Sproat 8

recognized as an openly multicultural nation. Racism towards Indigenous peoples is a familiar

sight in Canadian society, but with generations of commitment, Reconciliation will allow for this

to change. Reconciliation has the potential to ultimately change Canadian society as a whole,

generating a better quality of life for all Canadians.

 Sproat 9

Works Cited

Abedi, Maham. "National Indigenous Peoples Day." Global News, globalnews.ca/news 4288093/national-

indigenous-peoples-day-2018/. Accessed 21 June 2018.

Bearhead, Charlene. Weblog post. Second Thought – 94 Calls to Action: First Steps, 27 Sept. 2016,

news.augustana.ualberta.ca/2016/09/ second-thought-94-calls-to-action-first-steps-by-charlene-

bearhead/.

Beck, Christopher. "Imagine a Canada Story Contest." Crownshire's Blog, 8 Feb. 2016,

crowshire.wordpress.com/2016/02/08/imagine-a-canada-story-contest/.

Beyond 94 Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. 19 Mar. 2018, newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform-

single/beyond-94?&cta=68.

Joseph, Bob. "Orange Shirt Day." Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples, 29

Sept. 2015, www.ictinc.ca/blog/what-is-orange-shirt-day.

Monkman, Lenard. "What Does Reconciliation Mean to You?" What Does

Reconciliation Mean to You?, 19 Oct. 2016, www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/

what-does-reconciliation-mean-mb-1.3803617.

Office of the Treaty Commissioner. 2018, www.otc.ca/.

"Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada." TRC, www.trc.ca/websites/

reconciliation/index.php?p=356.

Vowel, Chelsea. Indigenous Writes. HighWater Press, 2016.

Sproat 10