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.
Turn Mourning into Meaningful Action: A Call for Continuous Allyship
In May 2021, the tragic discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at a former Residential School in Kamloops, British Columbia, became an inescapable moment for Canadians. We could no longer say we didn’t know better, as we were faced with the truth of Canada’s historic and ongoing violence against Indigenous peoples. Since then, thousands of unmarked graves have been uncovered at Residential School sites across the country, with countless more Indigenous children still unaccounted for. These findings have brought to light the profound and ongoing impacts of colonial violence, systemic oppression, and intergenerational trauma experienced by Indigenous communities.
This is not just a chapter in history—it’s a current reality that demands our attention and action.
As settlers and non-Indigenous people on this land, we have a responsibility to confront these uncomfortable truths. We must acknowledge that while we may not be directly responsible for past actions, we continue to benefit from the colonial systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice in Canada today.
It’s essential to recognize that calling Canada home means we have a responsibility to champion change, to be better treaty partners than the colonizers and settlers before us.
Our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation cannot be limited to one day of reflection. It is an ongoing journey that requires us to act consistently and intentionally.
While the government has a role to play in addressing these wrongs, so do we. As individuals and as a collective, we must take ownership of our part in this journey toward justice. We cannot simply mourn; we must move forward with purpose, as active participants in dismantling oppressive systems and supporting Indigenous sovereignty.
Join us in turning acknowledgment into action. Explore our resources, engage with our community, and learn how you can contribute to a more just and equitable Canada. Together, we can transform this moment of reckoning into a sustained movement for meaningful change.
