Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
It is a joy and a privilege to work on and learn from these lands. We work intentionally on various Calls to Action, step by step, one small act at a time. This is not theoretical for us - we feel it is our job, in working on this land, to reconcile both with Indigenous Peoples AND with the land. We strive to do this in our programs in various ways, and seek to walk in a good way with Indigenous community members and children who attend our programs.
Which Calls to Action are we working on?
CTA 12: We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to develop culturally appropriate early childhood education programs for Aboriginal families.
How are we working at this?
Indigenous children in our programs have consistent mentorship by Indigenous leaders through our partnership with Crow Shield Lodge. Through our partnership with the City of Kitchener, transportation is arranged for any Indigenous family. All children in the program receive Indigenous cultural teachings.
CTA 62. We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, in consultation and collaboration with Survivors, Aboriginal peoples, and educators, to:
i. Make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada a mandatory education requirement for Kindergarten to Grade Twelve students
How are we intentionally teaching this?
In each of our programs, we talk about the residential school system and the history of schooling on this land. In addition to that, we consistently highlight and celebrate Indigenous contributions, ways of being, and teachings that can lead to a better life for ALL on this land. In particular, children in our programs learn about, and participate in:
CTA 63 We call upon the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada to maintain an annual commitment to Aboriginal education issues, including:
iii. Building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.
How are we acting on this?
Respect is the cornerstone of our programs. It is one of the 7 Grandfather teachings, and it is something we emphasize each session: respect for the land, others, and self. We do this by practicing our listening skills when sitting and sharing in a circle, by listening to and showing love to the earth (taking care where we play games, giving back and saying thank you through words, songs, and acts of kindness), by responding when there is conflict in the group. We flex the empathy muscle by remembering together that plants and animals are of utmost importance - we depend on them for our survival and they are our cherished teachers.
How are we working at this?
Indigenous children in our programs have consistent mentorship by Indigenous leaders through our partnership with Crow Shield Lodge. Through our partnership with the City of Kitchener, transportation is arranged for any Indigenous family. All children in the program receive Indigenous cultural teachings.
CTA 62. We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, in consultation and collaboration with Survivors, Aboriginal peoples, and educators, to:
i. Make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada a mandatory education requirement for Kindergarten to Grade Twelve students
How are we intentionally teaching this?
In each of our programs, we talk about the residential school system and the history of schooling on this land. In addition to that, we consistently highlight and celebrate Indigenous contributions, ways of being, and teachings that can lead to a better life for ALL on this land. In particular, children in our programs learn about, and participate in:
- The 7 Grandfather/Sacred Teachings.
- Songs that honour the earth and water.
- Language, particularly Anishinaabemowin words and phrases.
- Storytelling.
- A way of being on the land that is reciprocal, respectful and relational. We ask permission of the land, we thank the land, we talk and sing to the land! We see the land as kin, friend, and teacher.
- Stewardship and caring for the land for future generations.
- Our purpose and living a life of meaning along with the plants and animals - living so we can all thrive!
- Land and territorial acknowledgements that centre the traditional and treaty peoples of this land.
CTA 63 We call upon the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada to maintain an annual commitment to Aboriginal education issues, including:
iii. Building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.
How are we acting on this?
Respect is the cornerstone of our programs. It is one of the 7 Grandfather teachings, and it is something we emphasize each session: respect for the land, others, and self. We do this by practicing our listening skills when sitting and sharing in a circle, by listening to and showing love to the earth (taking care where we play games, giving back and saying thank you through words, songs, and acts of kindness), by responding when there is conflict in the group. We flex the empathy muscle by remembering together that plants and animals are of utmost importance - we depend on them for our survival and they are our cherished teachers.