Reconciliation requires the sharing of truth, apology, and commemoration—all of which acknowledge and redress past harms. It requires, like a marriage, an ongoing commitment to continuing to learn about and respect one another, an ongoing commitment to renewing that relationship every year, and a willingness to want to make it work.
As we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, we can recognize the dark and the shiny parts of our past. The principles of the original Indigenous-European relationships provide a model we should draw on today.
Whether you support the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation or not, one thing is clear: people are talking about reconciliation.
During these times, we are reminded of our strength that is rooted deep into who we are as citizens of the North — hearty, resilient, strong. These, along with our adaptability and agility, will be key to overcoming the challenges ahead of us.
In the best of times, reconciliation would be challenging to address. And we are not in the best of times.
Cancelling Canada Day seems to be, in my view, the easy way out. And the people I know don’t take the easy way out. They face challenges with courage.
As Canada looks to build back better in the wake of the pandemic, engaging with Indigenous entrepreneurs is good business—for the country and for reconciliation
