Walking Together: National Day for Truth & Reconciliation 2022

ᑕᑕᐊᐧᐤ tatawaw - There is Room Here For You

People we support, families, Guardians and Skills Society employees were invited to join Hunter Cardinal from Naheyawin in observing this year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We gathered together virtually as Hunter walked us through an hour of learning and reflection. We started in a good way with a smudge ceremony and prayer. Next Hunter shared a nehiyaw myth and its teachings with us, also called the ‘Dog Stars myth’. Then Hunter shared highlights of progress towards TRC Calls to Action in 2021-2022. We learned about some innovative and impactful reconciliation projects already being led by Canadians from all walks of life. And finally we closed by looking forward - sharing our hopes, actions we have already taken and will take, and Hunter shared some books, resources, and websites (shared below) we can all tap into in our learning journeys.

At Skills Society we are committed to learning about reconciliation, being better Treaty relatives, learning, listening and supporting. As a part of this commitment we encourage everyone who is a part of the Skills community to continue to learn and reflect about what Reconciliation means and how they can take tangible actions towards it. As Hunter reminded us today, these do not always need to be giant actions. Small, individual actions can add up and make a difference too. Hunter suggested even little things like finding a Spotify playlist curated by Indigenous artists, purchasing from local Indigenous makers, or going to eat at local Indigenous restaurants can be good first steps. Another small starting place would be to check out the short videos Naheyawin curated for us around how to be good Treaty relatives, found on our website and linked here.

Links, Resources, and Books to Explore

Local Indigenous Restaurants

• Pei Pei Chow (Restaurant and Catering)

• Teepee Treats (Restaurant and Catering)

Websites

• Indigenous and Treaty Territories – This interactive site explores Indigenous peoples' traditional territories, Treaty territories, and linguistic territories.  

• Online Cree Dictionary – This site is an excellent resource for looking up and learning Cree words.

• Indigenous Canada Course – By the University of Alberta. A 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.

• Indigenous Awareness Course — Our online course explores Indigenous peoples' diverse cultures, histories, and contemporary roles in Canada.

• 100 Days of Cree – By Neal McLeod. This book teaches one word of Cree a day.

Reading

• 100 Days of Cree

• Research is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods – By Shawn Wilson. This book describes a research paradigm shared by Indigenous scholars in Canada and Australia and demonstrates how to put it into practice.

• Spirit and Intent of Alberta’s Indian Treaties – Edited by Richard T. Price. This book explores the Indigenous understanding of Treaty and is a favourite of ours.

• A Metaphoric Mind: Selected Writings of Joseph Couture  – Edited by Ruth Couture and Virginia McGowan. This book explores Indigenous worldviews through a non-Indigenous perspective.

• Atchakosuk: Ininewuk Stories of the Stars – By Wilfred Buck. This PDF talks about Indigenous Astronomy.

• A Culture of Exploitation – By Lindsay Nixon. This report considers the historical relationships between Indigenous artists and the Institutions of Canadian art. The report offers 15 Standards of Achievement that can guide institutions and governments to reverse exploitation and renew the relationship.

Videos

• The Sacred Relationship – This documentary, created by Native Counselling Services of Alberta, explores Indigenous worldviews, Reconciliation, and the common ground between Indigenous and western science.

• Indigenous Law – Dr. John Burrows, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law, University of Victoria, provides an insightful overview and exploration of Indigenous law.

• Treaties, Reconciliation and Indigenous History in Canada – A CBC moderated panel discussion in 2017 brought together Indigenous leaders, educators, and advocates to discuss Indigenous-related issues like Treaties, Reconciliation, and Indigenous history.
  

Social Media Accounts

• Âpihtawikosisân – This is the account of Chelsea Vowel, a Métis writer and lawyer whose work focuses on language, gender identity, and resurgence. She is the brain behind IndigenousXca.

• Dr. Kim TallBear – Is a Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate professor at the University of Alberta whose work focuses on racial politics in science. She has some incredible talks up on YouTube that we recommend watching!

• Billy Ray Belcourt – Is a poet, Rhodes scholar, and author from Driftpile Cree Nation whose work comments on a range of topics from decolonial love to grief.

• Walking Eagle – This account offers satire centred around current Indigenous affairs.