Resources to Help You Commemorate Canada's First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

United Way Of Pei; Charlottetown; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established community-focused organization is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Islanders through various initiatives and educational resources. They emphasize the importance of truth and reconciliation, providing opportunities for learning about Indigenous histories and contemporary issues. This role is vital in fostering community engagement and promoting awareness of the lasting impacts of residential schools. If you are passionate about social change and community support, this opportunity offers a chance to contribute meaningfully to the lives of many.

Job description

Resources to Help You Commemorate Canada's First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Quote to reflect on to begin your day:

"[It's] not a day of celebration, but a day to allow all Islanders to pause in respect of Epekwitnewaq Mi'kmaq and all Indigenous people of this country who continue to suffer the lasting impacts of the residential school’s policy. We must make time to look, to listen and learn the hard truths that have been hidden for too long, and reflect on what that means for us today." - Chief Darlene Bernard of Lennox Island First Nation

Resources to Help You Commemorate Canada's First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Quote to reflect on to begin your day:

"[It's] not a day of celebration, but a day to allow all Islanders to pause in respect of Epekwitnewaq Mi'kmaq and all Indigenous people of this country who continue to suffer the lasting impacts of the residential school’s policy. We must make time to look, to listen and learn the hard truths that have been hidden for too long, and reflect on what that means for us today." - Chief Darlene Bernard of Lennox Island First Nation

Digital Learning Opportunities & Events:

• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

The NCTR is a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of the residential school experience will be honoured and kept safe for future generations. The NCTR was created as part of the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). The TRC was charged to listen to Survivors, their families, communities and others affected by the residential school system and educate Canadians about their experiences. The NCTR Archives and Collections is the foundation for ongoing learning and research. Here, Survivors, their families, educators, researchers, and the public can examine the residential school system more deeply with the goal of fostering reconciliation and healing.

• University of Alberta – Indigenous Canada Course

Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. Topics for the 12 lessons include the fur trade and other exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art, and its expressions.

• Residential Schools: One Person’s Story of Survival with Elder Margaret Poulette & Rosie Sylliboy

Indian Residential schools operated in Canada from 1831 until 1996. An estimated 150,000 Indigenous children were taken from their homes and forced to attend these schools. In this webinar, Residential School Survivor, Elder Margaret Poulette will share her first-hand story of what it was like to attend one of these schools.Margaret Poulette,Elder, Residential School SurvivorandRosie Sylliboy, Manager, Mawita’mk & Margaret’s Daughter

• TheCommunity Sector Council Nova Scotia and Unama’ki College’s Decolonization Learning series

The sessions are categorized into 4 series:

Series 1: Pre-Contact & Early History

Series 2: Indigenous Rights, Residential Schools, Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls, and Two-Eyed Seeing

Series3: Mi’kmaw Governance, Education, and Language

Series 4: Now What – Incorporating Reconciliation Learning into Our Work and Everyday Lives

• Marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation : A digital event on the lived experiences of residential school Survivors and their communities

Join the Prairie Federal Council and the Canada School of Public Service for an event on the lived experiences of residential school Survivors and their communities. Guest speakers will share their thoughts and insights on what those experiences mean for Indigenous Peoples in Canada and for us all as we continue the journey towards truth and reconciliation.

Local Organizations and Events:

• L'nuey

L’nuey is an initiative focused on protecting, preserving, and implementing the constitutionally entrenched rights of the Mi’kmaq of Prince Edward Island, Epekwitk. This will be particularly important as we begin the process of determining how our people can benefit from our rights as we begin negotiations through the Mi’kmaq-Prince Edward Island-CanadaFramework Agreement . The Framework Agreement affirms the historic Mi’kmaq treaties and commits the Federal and Provincial governments to respectful and cooperativenegotiations with the Mi’kmaq to deal with our outstanding Aboriginal and treaty rights claims. Click the link above to learn more about L’nuey and how you can support local.

• Mi’Kmaq Printing and Design

They are a social enterprise looking to make a difference. Their mission is to create high-quality clothing that promotes Mi'kmaq culture and builds community capacity by providing meaningful Indigenous employment and skills development. They believe education is the key to achieving reconciliation and are striving to build cultural awareness one design at a time. Check out the Kwe’ collection HERE

• Bronson Jacque mural @ The Confederation Center of the Arts

Bronson Jacque, an Inuit visual artist from Postville, Nunatsiavut, was commissioned in 2021 by the Aboriginal Women’s Association of Prince Edward Island to paint a commemorative group portrait depicting family and friends of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Each portrait subject has an object that represents a missing loved one to emphasize they are not just statistics; they are mothers, daughters, aunts, cousins, friends, and family. The artist intended to show the family left to mourn; the people impacted by the loss. Every missing and murdered Indigenous woman and girl should still be with their families, they should still be living their lives.

• Settle Down, Settlers! A mixed media art exhibit by Julie Bull @ Kings Playhouse

Julie Bull’s exhibitSettle Down, Settlers!will open at the Kings Playhouse gallery in Georgetown on September 29 at 7 pm. The opening will include a welcome featuring Julie Pellissier-Lush, a spoken-word performance by Bull accompanied by various local actors, including Adam Brazier and Rory Starkman, a small Indigenous artisan’s market, food, refreshments, resources, and the full art exhibit, which will be on display until November 6.

Quote to reflect on at the end of the day:

“It is my hope that people will take more than just the day on September 30th to think deeply and critically about the history of residential schools in our country and the ongoing devastating impacts." - Chief Junior Gouldof Abegweit First Nation

Behind every changed life is someone like you who made it happen.
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