SETTLERS TAKE ACTION

Non-Indigenous people living in Canada have a responsibility to be true treaty partners on a daily basis, not just on Sept 30.

Make this Moment of Mourning a Movement for Change

In May 2021, the remains of 215 Indigenous children killed in a Residential School in British Colombia were found. Since then 1000s of unmarked graves have been found at former Residential Schools sites across the country, with thousands of more Indigenous children still unaccounted for. Over seven generations of Indigenous people were forced into these ‘schools’ and thousands continue to feel their indescribable effects of personal and intergenerational trauma to this day. The Indigenous people of this land continue to face systemic violence and oppression to this day. This is not just a historical issue; it is also a current issue.

For all of us in Canada, this moment should be one of national mourning.

We as settlers and non-Indigenous people of this land need to own that; we need to sit with the discomfort of our country's actions. We have to accept that while we might not be directly responsible, we still greatly benefit from colonialism in Canada. We need to understand that we can love this country and know it needs to be better.

Our government has a responsibility to do better, but so do we. We can't just mourn; we need to do more, individually as settlers and collectively as a settler nation. We all have a part to play in Truth & Reconciliation, and since our government isn't stepping up, then we, the people, must.

Read more about our project’s commitment to this moment in our Status Quo Must Go Statement.

True Reconciliation referenced On Canada Project!

We are incredibly honored to be mentioned in "True Reconciliation: How to Be a Force for Change?" by Jody Wilson-Raybould, who served as Canada’s first Indigenous Minister of Justice & Attorney General from 2015-2019.

Excerpt from ‘True Reconciliation’:

‘New types of organizations are emerging, designed to challenge people to think and act beyond the status quo. We see volunteer community initiatives founded by young people – initiatives that are increasingly focused on issues of Indigenous justice and reconciliation, including through supporting Indigenous political advocacy, raising funds for Indigenous charities, and driving public awareness and understanding of critical issues.

The “On Canada Project” is one example. It was founded in 2020 to help disseminate information to marginalized and younger people about COVID-19, but has now expanded to a focus on work for and with Indigenous Peoples. As the project organizer sees it: “Our government has a responsibility to do better, but so do we. We can’t just mourn; we need to do more, individually as settlers and collectively as a settler nation. We all have a part to play in Truth & Reconciliation, and since our government isn’t stepping up, then we, the people, must.” '

Source: Jody Wilson-Raybould, True Reconciliation: How to Be a Force for Change?, 2022, pp. 297-298.

Who is Jody Wilson-Raybould? Jody Wilson-Raybould, also known as Puglaas, is a prominent Canadian politician, lawyer, and advocate for Indigenous rights. She is a member of the We Wai Kai Nation and served as an elected representative in Canada’s federal government. She was also Canada's first Indigenous Minister of Justice and Attorney General from 2015 to 2019. Wilson-Raybould is widely recognized for her integrity and commitment to justice, particularly for her role in the SNC-Lavalin affair, where she stood up against political pressure, which ultimately led to her departure from the Liberal government. After serving as an Independent Member of Parliament, she continued her advocacy for Indigenous rights, governance, and reconciliation. She is also an accomplished author, having written books that explore her experiences in politics and her vision for a more just and inclusive Canada.

Follow JWR on Twitter

Present Day Colonial Violence

Present Day Colonial Violence

Canada’s Third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on Sept 30

OCP Originals

Want to learn how to give a proper land acknowledgement? Take our Digital Communications Course here:

Featured
5 Considerations Ahead of Canada’s National Day For Truth and Reconciliation
Indigenous Justice
#settlerstakeaction, this is canada, ocp essentials, settlers take action
5 Considerations Ahead of Canada’s National Day For Truth and Reconciliation
Indigenous Justice
#settlerstakeaction, this is canada, ocp essentials, settlers take action
Indigenous Justice
#settlerstakeaction, this is canada, ocp essentials, settlers take action
“British Columbia has been dealing with wildfires for years and *now* Ontario cares?“
Climate Justice, Indigenous Justice
wildfires, climate change, collective liberation, ocp essentials, parallels on parallels, critical reflections
“British Columbia has been dealing with wildfires for years and *now* Ontario cares?“
Climate Justice, Indigenous Justice
wildfires, climate change, collective liberation, ocp essentials, parallels on parallels, critical reflections
Climate Justice, Indigenous Justice
wildfires, climate change, collective liberation, ocp essentials, parallels on parallels, critical reflections
Ending Gender-Based Violence means Protecting Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirit Folk
Indigenous Justice, Dismantling White Supremacy, Smash the Patriarchy, Systems Check, This is Canada
solidarity, missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and 2 spirt folk, dismantle white supremacy, far-right-ideologies, Human Rights, Canada, Healthcare, mental health, indigenous, sexual and gender based violence, Women's Rights
Ending Gender-Based Violence means Protecting Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirit Folk
Indigenous Justice, Dismantling White Supremacy, Smash the Patriarchy, Systems Check, This is Canada
solidarity, missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and 2 spirt folk, dismantle white supremacy, far-right-ideologies, Human Rights, Canada, Healthcare, mental health, indigenous, sexual and gender based violence, Women's Rights
Indigenous Justice, Dismantling White Supremacy, Smash the Patriarchy, Systems Check, This is Canada
solidarity, missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and 2 spirt folk, dismantle white supremacy, far-right-ideologies, Human Rights, Canada, Healthcare, mental health, indigenous, sexual and gender based violence, Women's Rights

First Time Settler Taking Action

Step 1 | Learn About Whose Land You Live On: Find out whose traditional territory you live on. Visit native-land.ca

Step 2 | Do Your Research: Click on the links of the territories from native-land.ca and learn more about the original caretakers of the land you now inhabit, their history, and the current issues that affect their communities.

Step 3 | Read about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Review the 94 Calls to Action.

Find a TL;DR version of the report via the CBC, and see the progress made on each item via CBC here.

Step 4 | Connect with your Elected Officials: Click here to find out who your elected reps are. Tell them you care about the Indigenous people of Canada and want to see action taken to reconcile with them, as described in the Truth and Reconciliation Report. Ask for an update on what they are personally doing to take action. Hold them accountable.

Step 5 | Be Public About Your Solidarity: The more non-Indigenous people take action and become vocal about their solidarity with the Indigenous people of this land, the more likely we are to create sustainable change. The more likely we will peak and hold the interest of politicians so that they radically shift the way they take action around this.

Amplify Indigenous voices on your social media, lend your support to the causes and bills they care about, and share your findings from Native-Land.ca. Do more than has been done by those before us.

Create Momentum Online by using the Hashtag #SettlersTakeAction to help start a movement around this moment.

Step 6 | Start Your Learning Journey: take a look at the books, organizations, IG Lives, Blog posts and Resources list we’ve gathered together below to learn more about Residential Schools, Reconciliation and become a better ally to Indigenous people across Turtle Island.

Step 7 | Show up in Solidarity: Being an ally isn’t something you do once in a while - in fact, once-in-awhile allyship is more about you feeling good about yourself, than it is about making a difference for a community you aren’t part of. So it is crucial you find ways to be an ally in an ongoing way.

One way you can do that is by joining our Social Good Crew - a community of value-aligned people who want to show up better in every part of their life.

You can also set up reoccurring reminders and donations to contribute to any of the organizations listed below, and support Indigenous-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, creators, artists and more.

Make An Impact Now

We’ve compiled a list of credible Indigenous-led organizations below you can donate to, support, and find important resources from below. Not sure who to give your money to? Donate to the Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Fund through Unite for Change, a fund that includes more than 40 Indigenous-led charities from across Canada whose focus ranges from social services to arts and culture. Learn More about their charitable Funds on their website.

Learn More

As treaty partners, we have a responsibility to demand our leaders enact all 94 Calls to Action and engage in active allyship in our own lives. This includes our homes, communities, schools, and our workplaces. When non-Indigenous folk collectively show up as true treaty partners, it'll force high-speed action from our government instead of the dial-up/buffering speed that they seem to be taking with these 94 Calls to Action.

 Foundational Books for Adults:

  • Incovenient Indian

    by Thomas King

  • Unsettling Canada

    by Arthur Manuel, Ronald Derrickson

  • Unreconciled

    by Jesse Wente

  • Seven Fallen Feathers

    by Tanya Talaga

  • One Story, One Song

    by Richard Wagamese

  • Five Little Indians

    by Michelle Good

  • Highway of Tears

    by Jessica McDiarmid

  • Call Me Indian

    by Fred Sasakamoose

  • 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act

    by Bob Joseph

  • Braiding Sweetgrass

    by Robin Wall Kimmerer

 Foundational Books for Children:

  • No Time to Say Goodbye

    by Sylvia Olsen with Rita Morris & Ann Sam

    (AGES 8+)

  • As Long as the Rivers Flow

    by Larry Loyie & Constance Brissenden

    (AGES 6–8)

  • Fatty Legs

    by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

    (AGES 9-12)

  • When I Was Eight

    by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

    (AGES 6–9)

  • Speaking Our Truth

    by Monique Gray Smith

    (AGES 9–13)

  • Secret Path

    by Gord Downie

    (AGES 10+)

  • My Name is Seepeetza

    by Shirley Sterling

    (Ages 9-12)

  • When We Were Alone

    by David Alexander Robertson

    (AGES 4–8)

  • Shi-shi-etko

    by Nicola I. Campbell

    (Ages 4-7)

  • Shin-chi’s Canoe

    by Nicola I. Campbell

    (AGES 4–7)

  • A Stranger at Home

    by Christy Jordan-Fenton

    (AGES 9–12)

 Key Organizations:

Artboard 3_4@2x-100.jpg
Artboard 3_9@2x-100.jpg
Artboard 3_8@2x-100.jpg
Artboard 3_6@2x-100.jpg
Artboard 3_1@2x-100.jpg
Artboard 3_3@2x-100.jpg
Artboard 3_2@2x-100.jpg
Artboard 3_5@2x-100.jpg
Artboard 3_10@2x-100.jpg
Artboard 3_11@2x-100.jpg
Artboard 3@2x-100.jpg
Artboard 3_13@2x-100.jpg
Artboard 3_7@2x-100.jpg
Artboard 3_12@2x-100.jpg

 Listen To Indigenous Voices:

 Stay Up To Date On The Issues:

Featured
Manitoba just elected it’s first First Nations premier and we’re SQUEALING with joy
CDN POLI
Manitoba just elected it’s first First Nations premier and we’re SQUEALING with joy
CDN POLI
Read More →
CDN POLI
5 Considerations Ahead of Canada’s National Day For Truth and Reconciliation
Indigenous Justice
5 Considerations Ahead of Canada’s National Day For Truth and Reconciliation
Indigenous Justice

5 Considerations, reminders and Reflections for Settlers ahead of National Day For Truth and Reconciliation

Read More →
Indigenous Justice
The Conservative Party of Canada is in it’s Republican Era
CDN POLI
The Conservative Party of Canada is in it’s Republican Era
CDN POLI
Read More →
CDN POLI
The One Where Everyone Misses The Point
Climate Justice, Indigenous Justice
The One Where Everyone Misses The Point
Climate Justice, Indigenous Justice

On Canada Project, and we hope you’ll join us, is rejecting any climate solution by the people who have been historically failing us, that does not comprehensively and inclusively and sustainably address the climate catastrophe we are currently in. Call us old fashion, but we like our air clean and safe to breathe.

Since we don’t feel that the vast majority of the politicians in Canada have our back (most politicians prioritize political party over public interest at best, and private side deals with corporations over public at worst) — the advocates we trust to take care of our planet is Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous peoples across Canada and the world, have been fighting alone to protect our planet for much longer than any Western climate activist group, and they have seen the most gains in protecting our planet (especially when you consider they did all this while facing land theft, systemic violence, physical violence (@ rcmp) and ongoing human rights violations). They aren’t just saying we need to protect the land, they put their bodies on the line to do so and have been successful.

Read More →
Climate Justice, Indigenous Justice
“British Columbia has been dealing with wildfires for years and *now* Ontario cares?“
Climate Justice, Indigenous Justice
“British Columbia has been dealing with wildfires for years and *now* Ontario cares?“
Climate Justice, Indigenous Justice

White folks and non-Indigenous POC in Ontario should have paid more attention to the lived experiences and needs of people in Western Canada over the past 10 years. Doing so is the right thing to do and likely would have minimized the disaster we're experiencing in Ontario.

– and over the past 100s of years, white people in Canada should have listened to Indigenous peoples – who were forced to migrate from their lands* because Indigenous peoples are disproportionally experiencing, for significantly longer, the catastrophic effects of this climate emergency they played no part in creating.

Read More →
Climate Justice, Indigenous Justice
Ending Gender-Based Violence means Protecting Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirit Folk
Indigenous Justice, Dismantling White Supremacy, Smash the Patriarchy, Systems Check, This is Canada
Ending Gender-Based Violence means Protecting Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirit Folk
Indigenous Justice, Dismantling White Supremacy, Smash the Patriarchy, Systems Check, This is Canada
Read More →
Indigenous Justice, Dismantling White Supremacy, Smash the Patriarchy, Systems Check, This is Canada

 Additonal Reading:

This page is being updated regularly! If you have resources you think will help Canadians know better and do better or any questions/comments please send them to us using this form.