A day to listen and remember

 Today was a new day. Today was a day to listen, to learn, and to remember. Today was the inaugural Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada. Across the nation, Canadians listened to Indigenous voices, from the Sto:lo in British Columbia to the Algonquin in Ontario and the Mi’kmaq in PEI.

Canada Day film recommendations

 Happy Canada Day weekend! What are your plans? Ok, I’ll go first. Relax, BBQ and watch some films. (For those that know me . . . . I know . . . . shocking!) I want to take an opportunity to give you some great Canadian films that are definitely

Truth and Reconciliation – Canada’s obligation

 by Marc Kealey Imagine living through the stress of being taken from your parents because government policy formalized state sanctioned welfare as better than what you had at your home? Imagine being taken away from the refuge of your own home and the people you love, whose DNA courses through

It’s time to stop using the “rule of law” as a weapon against Indigenous peoples

 By Corey Shefman Protests against the RCMP’s attempts to remove Wet’suwet’en traditional leadership from their homeland continue to gain steam. First Nation and other allies have been blockading railways, bridges and public buildings across Canada. As the civil disobedience grew and began to affect urban Canadians, many of whom found themselves

24th anniversary of the Indspire Awards—Indspirational!

 Photos by Renée Boucher Doiron Looking to the past to change the future, the rousing refrain of the 24th anniversary of the Indspire Awards, was evident even before the uplifting showcase that was to come even began. The grinning and the glamorous started to pour into the National Arts Centre

Before the National Inquiry: Countering Stereotypes Through Education, Employment and Art

 Aboriginal community members at the annual Sisters In Spirit Candlelight Vigil in Ottawa in October. Photo by Damira Davletyarova. "I embrace you my sisters; and myself too We will go forward with strength anew Our friendships will travel with us down the road Fortified by the stories we now hold..." Excerpt from

Learning to Walk

 What will the lasting legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission be? As Cree youngsters in the north, we are taught the tradition of how to walk on the land and in the bush – with each foot fall carefully and quietly placed so as not to disturb the food

Sometimes Compensation is the Road to Closure

 For more than 150 years, the Government of Canada attempted to assimilate aboriginal children by placing them in residential —otherwise known as boarding — schools. Since it was too difficult to change adults, they began "Christianizing" children as early as age five. But over the years, tens of thousands of