On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.
Written by Cythnia Wesley-Esquimaux, Capacity Canada Board Member
Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux served as Vice Provost for Indigenous initiatives at Lakehead universtiy for three years. Cynthia is a member and resident of the Chippewa of Georgina Island First Nation in Ontario and has dedicated her life to building bridges of understanding.
I have been asking “does truth and reconciliation still have meaning in an era of distraction?” We are living in strange times, maybe we always have, but the amplification of distraction, national and global, and technology as a panacea for everything that ails us, strikes me as unique. We are witnessing mental health challenges, familial splintering, and disengaged youth at levels never before experienced. Truth and Reconciliation is about bringing humanity together, reaching out a hand to family, friends and allies across the table, across growing social incivility and across the country. We have much to protect and honour in Canada. Indigenous peoples have been telling us for centuries through wampum, word and song, there is a better way.
The Dish with One Spoon wampum provides an example of how we can co-exist in a county this diverse, “Respect territorial jurisdiction, leave something in the dish for others, and keep the dish clean”, this means, having respect for boundaries and what belongs to others, take only what you need and leave something of value for others, and above all, please, keep the dish clean. We only have one planet, let’s learn to work together in respect, friendship, and peace – Truth and Reconciliation reminds us we are one global human family, and we must learn to want, give, and receive the best for everyone.