tânisi! Hello!
As the 2023 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation draws near, I thought I would take stock of the milestones I have met along my journey of learning, reflection, and action. For example, last fall, I completed a course offered by First Nations University of Canada called the 4 Seasons of Reconciliation.
Listen to the article:
I am happy to say I did so around September 30th to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2022. Through the course, I came across some material I had seen before, but also engaged with some new information that was powerful and that helped me to become more aware of my positionality, privilege, and responsibility. For example, I remembered and reflected on occasions when I had displayed attitudes and behaviour that were not culturally appropriate and this realization was humbling. It reinforced the need to be alert about how my actions can impact social justice. In short, the course was a good experience for me, because I realized that it was necessary to engage with this knowledge to deepen my insights and maintain momentum in my personal development and growth.
Last, but not least, an important part of my growth is that I am more intentional about supporting Indigenous individuals, groups, and organizations, and conscious of what that support might mean to them in terms of creating equity. To continue to increase equity, I am also more invested in learning about the issues and challenges that affect Indigenous people in the present, as a result of colonialism, and how I can be an ally, and so the journey continues …
kinanâskomitin Thank you for reading and listening.
Photo credit: author
Location: Wascana Centre, Regina, oskana ka-asastēki / Pile of Bones, Treaty 4 territory and the homeland of the Métis
