SETTLERS TAKE ACTION
ACKNOWLEDGING OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY IN RECONCILIATION
SETTLER
(noun)
set·tler | se-tᵊl-ər
A settler is a person who lives on the land that does not belong to them.
A second OCP definition if there is one.
If you identify as Non-Indigenous living in North America, you are a settler.
Non-Indigenous folk who live in Canada benefit from the colonialism that happened here. That means we are all responsible for our personal role in reconciliation.
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.
Click on one of the categories below to learn more about Reconciliation.*
GO DEEPER
CONTEXT
CURRENT ISSUES
TAKE ACTION
LISTEN TO VOICES
CONTEXT
SOMETHING ABOUT THE ISSUE AS HEADLINE
UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE
Who’s Affected
Indigenous peoples across Canada have been and continue to be affected by colonialism and its ongoing impacts. Over seven generations of Indigenous people were forced into Residential Schools, with thousands still experiencing the intergenerational trauma today.
Non-Indigenous folk who live in Canada benefit from the colonialism that happened here. That means we are all responsible for our personal role in reconciliation.
Historical Context
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 childrenstill 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.
Why it Matters
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.
CURRENT SITUATION
PRESENT-DAY COLONIALISM
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Recent Developments Canada’s Third National Day for Truth & Reconciliation on Sept 30
Present Day Colonial Violence:
Canada's Third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on Sept 30
Grassy Narrows and Ring of Fire in Northern Ontario
#SearchTheLandfills in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Fairy Creek Blockade in British Columbia
Grassy Narrows and Ring of Fire in Northern Ontario
More about this cause, potentially just an overview and links out.
#SearchTheLandfills in Winnipeg, Manitoba
More about this cause, potentially just an overview and links out.
Fairy Creek Blockade in British Columbia
More about this cause, potentially just an overview and links out.
WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT
TAKING ACTION
YOU ARE THE AGENT OF CHANGE
TAKING ACTION
First-Time Settler Taking Action
Learn About Whose Land You Live On: Find out whose traditional territory you live on. Visit native-land.ca
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
KNOW MORE WAYS SETTLERS CAN TAKE ACTION?
🗣️ WE WANT TO KNOW
🗣️ WE WANT TO KNOW
ADDiTiONAL RESOURCES
Articles & Reports
Videos & Documentaries
Podcasts
Foundational Books
Resources for Children
Books
Resources
Other Resources
Key Organisations
Articles & Reports
Videos & Documentaries
Podcasts
Resources for Children
Other Resources
Foundational Books for Adults
Foundational Books for Children
Key Organisations
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
STAY INFORMED
Listen to Indigenous Voices
Stay up to date on current issues
Featured Content
Articles & Reports
Videos & Documentaries
Podcasts
Resources for Children
Other Resources
Foundational Books for Adults
Foundational Books for Children
Key Organisations