Westwood Unitarian is committed to learning, growing & engaging in relationship with our Indigenous neighbours.
Check out the posts below for upcoming events and reflections related to truth, healing and reconciliation
What can we do?
- Learn: some resources and opportunities are listed below
- Listen: with an open heart and an open mind
- Show up when invited: check out the posts below for upcoming events
- Engage in some or all of these 150 Acts of Reconciliation
What is Reconciliation and What It is Not: A blog post by Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., including a link to a personal Pledge of Reconciliation
RISE – Reconciliation in Solidarity Edmonton.
“We are a group of citizens in the Edmonton region committed to reconciliation in actions and words.” Visit their website for current activities and follow on Facebook.
Many thanks to Miranda Jimmy, founder of RISE, and Westwood member Sara McEwan, for leading a Beyond Acknowledgements workshop, giving participants the opportunity to increase their understanding and make a commitment to meaningful action.
Westwood Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report Reading Group
This group met to read the Summary Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and share our reflections together. Participants were asked to commit to attending all four sessio
ns and completing the reading, which was about 100 pages each month. If interested in future groups or other reconciliation related activities contact: Reconciliation@westwoodunitarian.ca
Westwood was a test congregation for The Canadian Unitarian Council’s Truth, Healing & Reconciliation Reflection Guide
We met for 4 workshops focusing on:
- Engaging and Locating Ourselves
- Understanding
- Connection
- Healing & Reconciliation
Canadian Unitarian Council & the Unitarian Universalist Ministers of Canada: An Expression of Truth and Reconciliation
Delivered to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission – March 29, 2014 in Edmonton, Alberta.
Resources we have used &/or learned about: places to start
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) : the permanent home for all statements, documents, and other materials gathered by the TRC, The Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada
There you will find .pdf files of the reports & recommendations of the Commission. Hard cover & digital copies are also available at the library.
Consider signing up for the TRC Reading Challenge It is important that as many people as possible actually read these documents.
Reclaiming Power and Place, final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
UNDRIP: The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Reconciliation Canada Resources:
Edmonton Public Library has a wealth of information for and about Indigenous Peoples, as well as opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of reconciliation and how it impacts all Canadians.
“Initiated, designed, and led by Carolyn King and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the Moccasin Identifier is a teaching tool and public awareness-building program for Treaty relationships between Indigenous and Non- Indigenous Canadians. ” -from an article in the Indigenous Corporate Training Blog
Edmonton Indigenous Ward Names: Learn the names meaning and pronunciation.
Amiskwacîwâskahikan: pronunciation sample of the Cree language name, commonly translated as Beaver Hills House, location of the city of Edmonton.
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society: “The Caring Society stands with First Nations children, youth and families so they have equitable opportunities to grow up safely at home, be healthy, get a good education and be proud of who they are.” Their website is rich in information, resources and ways to help move reconciliation forward. Wondering what you as an individual can actually do? Start here for positive ways to participate.
Books & Blogs
The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America, by Thomas King. Available at the Edmonton Public Library.
“Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.” & blog “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples®”
This website & blog contain a wealth of free and helpful information – as well as registration information for corporate training programs. Worth a look for everyone.
You can also find ordering information for Bob Joseph’s book here.
Film Video Radio
We Were Children: (1hr 22min)
“In this feature film, the profound impact of the Canadian government’s residential school system is conveyed through the eyes of two children who were forced to face hardships beyond their years. As young children, Lyna and Glen were taken from their homes and placed in church-run boarding schools, where they suffered years of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, the effects of which persist in their adult lives. We Were Children gives voice to a national tragedy and demonstrates the incredible resilience of the human spirit.”
You can borrow the film from the Edmonton Public Library or you can rent the film from the NFB website.(Very low cost)
I’m Not the Indian You Had in Mind (5:28): Thomas King’s video National Screen Institute’s website – no charge
A video exploration offering insight as to how First Nations people today are changing old ideas and empowering themselves in the greater community
~ A great ‘quick study’ in stereotypes ~
CBC’s 8th Fire
Hosted by Wab Kinew, CBC’s “8TH FIRE is a provocative, high-energy journey through Aboriginal country showing you why we need to fix Canada’s 500 year-old relationship with Indigenous peoples; a relationship mired in colonialism, conflict and denial.”
Watch all 4 episodes free on-line.
- Indigenous in the City
- It’s Time!
- Who’s Land Is It Anyway?
- At A Crossroads
YouTube:
Part 1: Culture and Ancestry (6:35 minutes)
“In this interview, Chief Joseph discusses his childhood memories of Kwakwaka’wakw culture and explains why understanding the context of culture and ancestry is critical in the present day.”[1] (Pronunciation: Kwak-wak-ya-wak)
Part 2: Residential School (3:15 minutes)
In the next video: Chief Robert Joseph describes his experience at St. Michael’s Indian Residential School and how the trauma of the residential school system affected him as a young man.
The Language of Reconciliation Video (4:11 minutes) Here’s the context for this video:
“A Shared Tomorrow:
We are Elders from Aboriginal and other ancient histories who care about Canadians and answered a call to action in November 2012. For two days, we gathered on the traditional territories of the Musqueam People to explore how Reconciliation, as a way of being, can help our society move forward. To that end we have made a video to explain who we are and invite you to join us on this path.”
CBC Radio Documentary: Highway of Tears
NFB Film Archive:
200+ Films by Indigenous Directors Now Free to View Online: A New Archive Launched by the National Film Board of Canada
POSTS RELATED TO TRUTH HEALING & RECONCILIATION
RISE Book Club -Humane
RISE (Reconciliation in Solidarity Edmonton) is hosting a book club featuring the mystery novel, HUMANE, by local …
Recording “Understanding UNDRIP,” Miranda Jimmy & Brenda Jackson, Jan. 31, 2021
We hope you enjoy this recording of our interactive Zoom service. Please feel free to …
Learn Cree Online – Free Course
As part of its ongoing efforts at Reconciliation, Westwood encourages its members and friends to …
Truth Before Reconciliation: How the Seven Sacred Teachings Create a Path to Better Relations
Miranda Jimmy This Sunday: Westwood Online In the five years since the Truth and Reconciliation …