Ways to learn, unlearn and take action on (and beyond) National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

We recognize that reconciliation isn’t one day of wearing an orange t-shirt, but an ongoing, daily process of decolonization and re-Indigenization.

Together with folks from our Indigenous Advisory Circle, FoodShare’s Indigenous Action Coordinator, Shar-Dey Phipps-Walker, thoughtfully curated this list of resources to read, watch, and listen to, as well as actions to take in support of Indigenous communities. The list was created last year, but we’ve made some updates for 2024.

Return to this list frequently, as these actions can be taken any day of the year. A shortened, printable version of this list is available as a downloadable PDF.

• A Knock on the Door: The Essential History of Residential Schools from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015) – Phil Fontaine, Aimée Craft and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

• They Came for the Children: Canada, Aboriginal Peoples, and the Residential Schools (2012) – Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

• The Survivors Speak: A Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015)

• Where are the children? Healing the Impacts of Residential Schools (2021) – Legacy of Hope Foundation

• Broken Circle: The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools: A Memoir (2010) – Theodore Fontaine

• They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School (2012) – Bev Sellars

• Up Ghost River: A Chief’s Journey Through the Turbulent Waters of Native History (2015) – Edmund Metatawabin with Alexandra Shimo

• The Education of Augie Merasty: A Residential School Memoir (2015/2017) – Joseph Auguste (Augie) Merasty

• Out of the Depths: The Experiences of Mi’kmaw Children at the Indian Residential School at Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia (1992/2015) – Isabelle Knockwood

• The Inconvenient Indian (2013) – Thomas King

• The Boy From Buzwah: A Life in Indian Education (2022) – Cecil King

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action

• Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
  

• Calls to Action Accountability: A 2023 Status Update on Reconciliation 

• We Were Children: Stories of Two Residential School Survivors

• Stolen Children | Residential School Survivors Speak Out

• Kamloops Residential School Survivors Recall Students Going Missing, Digging Of Graves In Orchard

• “The Stranger” Official Video – Gord Downie – Secret Path

• Truth And Reconciliation Collection on CBC Gem

• A Day to Listen: Amplifying Indigenous Voices

• Telling Our Twisted Histories: Words connect us. Words hurt us. Indigenous histories have been twisted by centuries of colonization. Host Kaniehti:io Horn brings us together to decolonize our minds– one word, one concept, one story at a time.

• Unreserved: A fearless space for Indigenous voices. Join Rosanna Deerchild every Friday for vibrant conversations with our cousins, aunties, elders, and heroes. Rosanna guides us on the path to better understanding our shared story. Together, we learn and unlearn, laugh and become gentler in all our relations.

• 2 Crees in a Pod: A podcast unapologetically creating space for Indigenous resurgence and stories, and honouring Indigenous helping practices and education.

• A Tribe Called Geek: An award-winning media platform for Indigenous Geek Culture and STEM. Their podcast prides itself on its “Indigenerdity.”

When she was six, Phyllis (Jack) Webstad had a brand new orange shirt for her first day of school, bought for her by her grandmother. When she arrived at residential school, she was stripped and her clothes were taken away, including her orange shirt. The shirt was never returned. To Phyllis, the colour orange was a reminder of her residential school experiences: “how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.” Learn more about her story.

• Giwaabamin Free Street Clinic

• Turtle Protectors

• Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction

• Nii’kinaaganaa Foundation

• Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin – They Feed The People

• Native Arts Society

• The Cedar Basket

• Raven Rising

• Mnopgwad Preserves / CharGer Foods

• Unpacking Truths in Truth and Reconciliation
  Tuesday, September 24, 6:30 – 8:00pm
  Toronto, ON
  In this month of learning about historical and contemporary relations between Indigenous Nations and the nation state of Canada, there are many painful truths that need to be unpacked. How can we learn together to unpack these truths and make these relationships more relevant – as individuals and as a society? How can we change how we listen and learn to move forward together with Peace, Friendship and Mutual Respect? Join Dr. Ruth Green as she storytells about Treaty relations and responsibilities to the Lands and the people that have been caretakers of the territory known as Tkaronto since time immemorial.

• Truth and Reconciliation in The Healing Garden
  Friday, September 27, 2024, 2:00 – 3:30pm
  Toronto, ON
  This truth and reconciliation event aims to illuminate critical issues facing Indigenous peoples in Canada through impactful and engaging storytelling. As we gather in this serene oasis, we will honor and remember the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous communities while addressing the challenges they face today.

• Toronto Foraging Event: Truth and Reconciliation: Moving Forward
  Saturday, September 28, 11:00am – 2:00pm
  Toronto, ON
  In this workshop offered by The Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour, you will take part in a slow and mindful nature walk, glimpse nature’s abundance, learn how to make plants more edible and harvest plants for the best results.

• Toronto Reconciliation Walk with True North Aid
  Sunday, September 29, 2024, 11:00am – 4:00pm
  Toronto, ON
  The Reconciliation Walk, in partnership with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, is an educational opportunity for non-Indigenous people, in particular, to learn about the history we were not taught in school, as it will present the truth about Canada’s justification for the establishment of residential schools in a self-guided timeline and its resulting harm against Indigenous people then and today.
  This event is FREE and everyone is welcome.

• Commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with Odeiwin
  Monday, September 30, 2024, 4:00 – 7:00pm
  Richmond Hill, ON
  This Indigenous-led gathering is dedicated to learning about the history and ongoing impact on the Indigenous community of Canada, while using Indigenous ways of knowing to help heal and move forward in a good way.
  Join us as we come together to reflect, learn, pray and heal as we all move forward on this path for truth and reconciliation.

• Yellowhead Fire: Truth & Land Back
  Monday, September 30, 2024, 1:00 – 3:00pm
  On National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, Yellowhead School is talking about Land Back. Join us on September 30, 2024, to launch Yellowhead Online (YO) with the release of our first course based on the Yellowhead Red Paper, Land Back. This Yellowhead Fire will include a panel discussion with course collaborators and Yellowhead Fellows, Shady Hafez & Riley Yesno, moderated by Hayden King. We will also be screening Yellowhead’s first short film, Return to Gale Creek, which is featured in the Land Back curriculum. Hosted by Megan Scribe, this Fire will engage the tensions in the Land Back movement against the backdrop of Truth & Reconciliation.