The Truth and Reconciliation Report, released in 2015 by the Canadian government, outlines 94 “Calls to Action” urging all Canadians to work together in an effort to repair the harm caused to Indigenous people and communities through systemic racism. Specifically, Section 92 calls for:
meaningful consultations
respectful relationships
education on the histories, languages and cultures of Indigenous peoples
education on the negative impacts on Indigenous peoples and communities
In July 2019, three student volunteers with the BC Heritage Fairs Society interviewed four members of the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nation on Vancouver Island: an Elder, two artists and a language revitalization teacher. They then created short videos that addressed specific topics related to the Truth and Reconciliation Report and on the W̱SÁNEĆ people. On this website, you’ll find links to the videos the alumni created, a slideshow of pictures from our interviews, and finally, a detailed teacher’s guide with lesson plans for student led “Reconcili-Action” projects.
We hope this will provide inspiration and guidance for teachers and students interested in working with Indigenous Elders, artists and teachers in their community. We all have an active role in ending colonialism, and it is by listening and learning with open hearts that we will truly move forward with reconciliation.