1. Reconciliation and Resources

2. Reconciliation
Reconciliation is an ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships
What is a respectful relationship?
Safety, encouragement, honesty, trust, caring, freedom to be yourself, listening, valuing opinions
Everyone has the right to feel safe, to be treated with fairness, to be valued and feel accepted for who they are
The concept of reconciliation means different things to different people, communities, institutions, and organizations
The TRC defined “reconciliation” as an ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships
What is a respectful relationship? What are some traits you would want to see in this kind of relationship?
Safety, encouragement, honesty, trust, caring, freedom to be yourself, listening, valuing opinions
Everyone has the right to feel safe, to be treated with fairness, to be valued and feel accepted for who they are

3. Reconciliation
Critical to reconciliation is repairing damaged trust by:
Making apologies
Providing individual and collective reparations
Following through with actions for real societal change
It is important to understand traditional Indigenous approaches to resolving conflict, repairing harm, and restoring relationships
A critical part of reconciliation involves repairing damaged trust by:
making apologies,
providing individual and collective reparations,
and following through with real and clear actions that demonstrate real societal change
Important to understand traditional Indigenous approaches to resolving conflict, repairing harm, and restoring relationships

4. Reconciliation is both a process
and a goal
Reconciliation is an ongoing process that involves making real changes in Canadian society, our institutions, and ourselves
It is essential to keep in mind that reconciliation is both an ongoing process and a goal

5. Principles of Reconciliation
UNDRIP
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is the framework for reconciliation at all levels and across all sectors of Canadian society.
46 articles that describe specific rights and actions that governments must take to protect Indigenous rights
These articles address the most significant issues affecting Indigenous people
In the TRC Final Report there are 10 principles of reconciliation that are outlined, the first of which states that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is the ‘Framework for Reconciliation’
A reconciliation framework is one in which Canada’s political and legal systems, educational and religious institutions, the corporate sector and civil society function in ways that are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
By adopting the Declaration, the government of Canada is making progress towards achieving consensus with Indigenous peoples on the minimum standards necessary for their survival, dignity, and well-being
UNDRIP consists of 46 articles that describe specific rights and actions that governments must take to protect Indigenous rights
These articles address the most significant issues affecting Indigenous peoples - their civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights and also bears on their right to self-determination, spirituality, language, lands, territories, resources and free, prior and informed consent

6. Calls to Action
In order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission makes the following calls to action.
For over a century, the central goals of Canada’s Aboriginal policy were to eliminate Aboriginal governments; ignore Aboriginal rights; terminate the Treaties; and, through a process of assimilation, cause Aboriginal peoples to cease to exist as distinct legal, social, cultural, religious, and racial entities in Canada
The establishment and operation of residential schools were a central element of this policy, which can best be described as “cultural genocide” which is the destruction of structures and practices that allow a group to continue as a group
Residential schools are a tragic part of Canada’s history but they cannot simply be consigned to history
The legacy from the schools and the political and legal policies and mechanisms surrounding their history continue to this day
Despite the challenges and failings in responding to the legacy of residential schools the TRC is cautiously optimistic that promising pathways to constructive reforms do exist
To redress the legacy of IRSs and advance reconciliation the TRC made 94 calls to action regarding legacy and reconciliation

7. Development/Training 13 – 17 Language and Culture
01 – 05 Child Welfare
57 Professional
06 – 12 Education
Development/Training
13 – 17 Language and Culture
58 – 61 Church Apologies
18 – 24 Health
62 – 65 Education for Reconciliation
25 – 42 Justice
66 Youth Programs
43 – 44 Canadian Governments and
67 – 70 Museum and Archives
UNDRIP
71 – 76 Missing Children & Burial Info
45 – 47 Royal Proclamation and
77 – 78 NCTR
Covenant of Reconciliation
79 – 83 Commemoration
48 – 49 Settlement Agreement Parties
84 – 86 Media and Reconciliation
and UNDRIP
87 – 91 Sports and Reconciliation
50 – 52 Equity for Aboriginal People in
92 Business and Reconciliation
the Legal System
93 – 94 New Canadians
53 – 56 National Council
Legacy: Child welfare, education, language and culture, health, and justice
Reconciliation: United Nationals Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People, Royal Proclamation and Covenant of reconciliation, National Council for Reconciliation, equity in the legal system, professional development for public servants, Church apologies, education for reconciliation, youth programs, museums and archives, missing children, NCTR, commemoration, media, sports, business, and newcomers
What is a call to action?
A call to action is an instruction to the audience to encourage an immediate response
There are a number of calls to action that are appropriate to educators both in and outside the classroom

8. What can I do?

9. Actions of Reconciliation
Learn the history between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples
Understand the history and legacy of residential schools
Explore the unique intersections we have between treaty, constitutional, Indigenous and human rights we have in Canada
Recognize the rich contributions that Indigenous peoples have made to Canada
Take action to address historical injustices and present day wrongs
Teach others
Actions of reconciliation you can take include:
Learning the history between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples
Understanding the history and legacy of residential schools
Exploring the unique intersections between treaty, constitutional, Indigenous, and human rights in Canada
Recognizing the rich contributions that Indigenous peoples make to Canada
Taking action to address historical injustices and present day wrongs
Teaching others

10. First Nations Child &Family Caring Society of Canada
Provides high quality resources to support First Nations communities to empower children, youth and families
Know Your Rights! Youth-Friendly Version of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
School Resource Guides & Lessons
Canadian Human Rights Toolkit
The First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada (the Caring Society) was developed at a national meeting of First Nations child and family service agencies (FNCFSA) in 1998
Delegates agreed that a national non-profit organization was required to provide research, policy, professional development, and networking support for First Nations children, youth, and families
Using a reconciliation framework that respectfully engages First Nation and non-Aboriginal peoples, the Caring Society provides high quality resources to support First Nations communities to empower children, youth, and families
Some of the campaigns that the Caring Society supports are: Jordan’s Principle, Shannen’s Dream, I am a witness, Touchstones of Hope, and Many Hands – One Dream
There are a number of resources available to educators and students under the “What You Can Do” tab
These include:
Know Your Rights! Youth-Friendly Version of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
School Resource Guides & Lessons
The Canadian Human Rights Toolkit
The Canadian Human Rights Toolkit is a searchable database of education resources available in both English and French for grades K-12
It was created by the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) in partnership with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR)

11. Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba
The TRCM mandate is to strengthen, rebuild and enhance the Treaty relationship and mutual respect as envisaged by the Treaty Parties
Teacher education initiative with K-12 Resource kit
Maps, PPTs, support materials, treaty education training
The Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba is a neutral body, created through a partnership between the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) and Canada with a mandate to strengthen, rebuild and enhance the Treaty relationship and mutual respect as envisaged by the Treaty Parties
The TRCM offers a number of resources on treaty education and includes a learning centre, speaker’s bureau, library, and workshops
Additionally, the Teacher Education Initiative (TEI) provides treaty education and training with a K-12 resource kit with the purpose to:
Increase the knowledge and understanding of the Treaties and the Treaty Relationship among all students;
Ensure students understand the impact of the Treaties and the Treaty Relationship on the creation of Manitoba;
Build bridges between all peoples in order to strengthen our society and our prosperity.

12. Orange Shirt Day
An opportunity to talk about residential schools, anti-racism and anti-bullying policies, and renewed commitments
Wear orange on September 30 to show support
Resources and Lesson Plans
and-resources-for-orange-shirt-day/
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC, in 2013
It grew out of Phyllis' story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school and has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on residential schools happening annually
September is the time of year when children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year as well as to renew commitments and to remind ourselves of the goals we wish to accomplish
The Manitoba Teachers’ Society website has a number of resources available on orange shirt day from K-12

13. What does the future of Canada look like through a lens of reconciliation?
K-12 and undergraduate
Contestants may submit a poem, story, song, essay, drawing or poster with text, video, original art work, or other written or visual expression
Imagine a Canada is a national art and essay competition that asks young people to share their thoughts on what the future of Canada will look like through the lens of reconciliation
The competition is open from K-12 as well as to undergraduate students at post-secondary schools
Contestants may submit works of art, poetry, stories, film, or traditional essays
Ten recipients will be selected in each province and territory to be honoured by the Vice Regal representative in their respective province or territory and will have their submission prominently featured by the NCTR
One recipient from each province and territory will be selected to be honoured by Governor General in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa in June of 2017

14. 10 poems developed into 10 songs and a 88-page graphic novel illustrated by Jeff Lemire
Proceeds from the sale of Secret Path will go to The Gord Downie Secret Path Fund for Truth and Reconciliation
Moved by a MacLean’s article on the death of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old boy who died while running away from Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School, Gord Downie began a project entitled Secret Path
Secret Path began as 10 poems which developed into 10 songs followed by an eighty-eight page graphic novel illustrated by Jeff Lemire
The Secret Path acknowledges a dark part of Canada’s history – the long-supressed mistreatment of Indigenous children and families by the residential school system – with the hope of starting our country on a road to reconciliation
Proceeds from the sale of Secret Path will go to The Gord Downie Secret Path Fund for Truth and Reconciliation to support the missing children and unmarked burial project

15. Project of Heart – Instructions and resources for download: BCTF – Hidden History:
Project of Heart is an inquiry based, hands-on, collaborative, inter-generational, artistic journey of seeking truth about the history of Aboriginal people in Canada
Its purpose is to:
Examine the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools in Canada and to seek the truth about that history, leading to the acknowledgement of the extent of loss to former students, their families and communities
Commemorate the lives of the thousands of Indigenous children who died as a result of the residential school experience
Call Canadians to action, through social justice endeavors, to change our present and future history collectively
BCTF – Hidden History is a fantastic ebook that includes many links to resources available to educators and students

16. Films and Visual Resources
Shi-Shi Etko
Savage
Where the Spirit Lives
Documentaries
Finding Heart
RIIS from Amnesia
I Am A Boy
Inside Residential Schools
Residential School Propaganda 1955
The Eyes of Children 1962
In the Classroom
Justice for Aboriginal Peoples
Teaching Truth in the Classroom
There are a number of film and visual resources available without cost
Shi-Shi Etko – 6:05 -
Savage – 5:35 -
Where the Spirit Lives – 1 hr 36 min -
Residential School Propaganda 1955 – 2:37 -
The Eyes of Children 1962 – 29:19 -
Finding Heart – 14:12 -
RIIS from Amnesia – 47:11 -
I Am A Boy – 11:53 -
Justice for Aboriginal People – It’s Time – 5:48 -
Teaching Truth in the Classroom – 9:00 -

17. Reading, Literature, Records and Docs
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Residential school documents, Survivor statements, and reports
A Knock on the Door – abridged TRC summary report
Strong Nations
Books for adults, teens, and children on residential schools and other Indigenous issues
The NCTR holds all the documents collected during the TRC’s 6-year mandate
There are over 54,000 records publically available on the NCTR’s website “nctr.ca”
This includes government records, church records, and Survivor records
Additionally, you can download PDF copies of the TRC’s final report, modern and historical reports, as well as Aboriginal Healing Foundation reports
For sale on U of M Press is “A Knock on the Door” which is an abridged version of the TRC’s summary report
Copies of the final report can be purchased from McGill
Participate in the TRC Reading Challenge or listen/watch to the TRC summary report
Strong Nations provides an open service of information to support the lives of Indigenous peoples by providing access to, and demonstrating the use of, Indigenous text in literacy acquisition
Strong Nations has a large collection of adult, teen, and children books on Indigenous topics of interest including residential schools

18. Garnet’s Journey
An oral history website on Garnet Angeconeb’s journey from living on a trap line, attending residential school, and healing
Website includes a short film and video clips on Garnet’s journey as well as a guide for educators
Garnet’s Journey is an oral history website on Garnet Angeconeb’s journey from living on a trap line, attending residential school, and healing
The website includes short films and video clips recorded with Garnet as well as a guide for educators on how to use material in the classroom

19. KAIROS Canada Blanket Exercise
Goal: to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by walking through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance
Developed by KAIROS Canada, the Blanket Exercise is based on participatory popular education methodology and the major themes and findings of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
The goal is to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by walking through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization, and resistance
Everyone is actively involved as they step onto blankets that represent the land, and into the role of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
The blanket exercise has been used by hundreds of facilitators across the country in elementary and high schools, organizations, training programs, government departments, colleges, and universities
It builds relationships, breaks down stereotypes and generates meaningful dialogue and action toward decolonization