What’s our role in Truth and Reconciliation? – Community Foundations

June 21, 2016

When it comes to Reconciliation, are the responsibilities of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people the same or different? Are non-Indigenous people welcome to attend Indigenous community centres and gatherings? Are “Indigenous” and “Aboriginal” the correct terms to use at all?

These were some of the questions raised in Kingston during a recent luncheon hosted by the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area in collaboration with local Indigenous partners. Described as “an opportunity to learn the truth of the First People’s’ experience in Canada from an Indigenous perspective”, the event featured three speakers (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous) and a sizeable crowd of 125 attendees. But first, in accordance with Indigenous custom, the event opened with a prayer from an Elder.

First up was Dr. Terri-Lynn Brennan, a self-described non-status First Nations Canadian, and Program Coordinator in the Cultural Services department at the City of Kingston, who encouraged everyone to view Reconciliation as “having a relationship”.

Read More: http://communityfoundations.ca/whats-our-role-in-truth-reconciliation/