Truth and Reconciliation Week is an opportunity to acknowledge and address the historical injustices of this country now known as Canada — in particular, the legacy of residential schools and the intergenerational impact of ongoing colonialism on Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit).
It’s a time not just for reflection but also action. As treaty people, we have a responsibility to learn the truth and find ways to contribute meaningfully to building stronger relationships with Indigenous communities.
The Ontario Aboriginal Head Start Association (OAHSA) is an organization that focuses on:
- supporting early child development designed and controlled by Aboriginal people;
- providing opportunities for Aboriginal preschool children to develop a positive sense of themselves and a desire for learning; and
- give children opportunities to develop fully and successfully throughout their lives.
Through its Centre for Indigenous Professional Learning, OAHSA is inviting all of us, including yourselves as members, to “explore pathways towards creating high-quality, culturally safe spaces within child care and early years programs; with emphasis on how Indigenous worldview intersects with current practice.”
In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day, OAHSA’s Centre for Indigenous Professional Learning Team has created “Resurgence of our Knowledges,” a resource exploring allyship featuring videos by Diane Longboat. We encourage you to review and reflect on this resource, as one step toward learning more about the truth and as part of your own reconciliACTION.* Join us.
*ReconciliACTION refers to the six actions for treaty people to consider in their work towards reconciliation.
