As Truth and Reconciliation Week at CityU comes to a close, it is important to acknowledge that Truth and Reconciliation consists of a shared history and a shared future. We must all commit to being active participants in creating change.
This week space was held to talk about the historic and on-going impacts colonization and how to approach these experiences from a lens of reconciliation, indigenization, and decolonization. However, it is important to acknowledge that Indigenous peoples are not represented by these experiences. Indigenous peoples are the diverse languages, cultures, knowledges, and value they hold.
Celebrating and engaging with Indigenous peoples and cultures is equally as necessary as learning about the shared history and the path to reconciliation. Today’s space is about honouring Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. The Indigenous voices shared today are focused on celebrating the diverse cultures and knowledges of the over 1.8 million Indigenous peoples in Canada.
With the final post of the week it is important to acknowledge that the resources shared are only a glimpse into Truth and Reconciliation, indigenization and decolonization, and Indigenous cultures. They do not do justice to sharing the vibrance or diversity of Indigenous cultures thriving on Turtle Island. The purpose of these small bites of information have been to encourage the CityU community to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation, about Indigenization and decolonization, and about the great diversity of knowing, being, and doing among Indigenous communities.
Métis Music and Dance (Métis nation British Columbia)
Continue celebrating Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing through culture:
Respected Chief of the Cowichan People, and fierce guardian of Indigenous foods and medicines, Qwustenuxun shares culture through stories on Indigenous foods.
Enjoy a plant walk at Métis Crossing with Kathryn Durksen.
In Heartbeat of a Nation, a short documentary by Eric Janvier, a Dene father passes on traditional knowledge to his child through the teachings of a caribou drum.
In this six-minute short, Inuit artist, storyteller and co-director Germaine Arnattaujuq (Arnaktauyok) depicts Inuit creation stories in all their glory. Arctic Song tells stories of how the land, sea and sky came to be in beautifully rendered animation.
Robin Wal Kimmerer shares the significance of reciprocity by sharing knowledge of the natural world and culture through story.
Hosted by Souta Calling Last (Blackfoot) and Melissa Spence (Anishinaabe), this podcast is “two aunties sharing and examining the world through the lens of an Anishinaabe and Blackfoot experience.”
Joye Walkus teaches Kwak’wala language and shares the significance of her Indigenous language.
Shanley Spense, also known as “Wapan Kisikawi Pisim Iskwew – Dawn Woman”, is a proud Ininewak and Anishinaabe woman who shares her culture through hoop dance with the support of musician Darryl Buck.
Author Leigh Joseph provides an introduction to plants from healing properties and nourishment to the traditions and beauty they hold.
A colouring book honouring Mother Nature allows the creative mind to flow and to connect with the cultural teachings shared.
***Reminder: There are a number of events being held in honour of Truth & Reconciliation Week:
- Reflections & Learning Raffle: September 30th – October 15th.
Enter to win an orange shirt by sharing your reflections and learnings from National Truth and Reconciliation Day or Truth and Reconciliation Week at CityU. The entry period for the raffle will be open from September 30 to October 15, 2023. To enter and for more details visit: https://forms.gle/ZAYYrpj795kxZavf7
- Friday, October 6th at 12pm PST: Film Screening and Reflection (Virtual)
In partnership with the National Film Board of Canada, CityU will be hosting a screening of “Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair” (29 min) and “Holy Angel” (11 min) on Friday, October 6th at 12pm PST / 1pm MST. Join us for the viewing of two films that express the experience and impacts of residential school on Indigenous peoples. Space will be held after each screening to unpack reflections and discuss. To register for this virtual screening, visit: https://cityu-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pdeGpqzMrHNZlXbETw7rFbC5rBax6y0bP
If you have any questions about Truth and Reconciliation Week, please contact: schmidtjalissa@cityu.edu