National Truth and Reconciliation Day AND Rotary

Author - Liz Bosma-Donovan

As we approach September 30, our National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, it is an opportunity for us as Rotarians to reflect on its significance. What role can Rotary play in building lasting, respectful relationships with Indigenous communities today and for future generations that will lead to better outcomes?

First, we are open to learning & acknowledging the truth about the devastating impact of the Indian Residential School system on 7 generations of Indigenous children, families, and communities.

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Final Report, Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future, gathered 6,750 statements/testimonies from residential school Survivors, their families, and others affected. These Survivor testimonies provide non-Indigenous Canadians a chance to gain greater understanding about why Indigenous people are disproportionately overrepresented in criminal justice and child welfare systems in Canada.

Next, we take action. The TRC contains 94 “Calls To Action”. It offers a helpful roadmap about different pathways toward reconciliation developed by Indigenous community leaders. Many of these Calls to Action align with Rotary International’s 7 areas of focus.

Rotarians are described as ‘people of action’. I am proud to say that a growing number of Rotary clubs are actively working in partnership WITH Indigenous peoples locally and nationally.

Since 2017, the Wellington Rotary Club has participated in the Indigenous Peoples Partnerships Cluster (IPPC). This collaborative network of Ontario Rotary Clubs works directly with remote (and local) Indigenous communities to address self-identified, community-led priorities. By improving access to quality education and enhancing living conditions, the IPPC delivers meaningful support that directly benefits children, youth, families, and whole communities. True to the IPPC motto—“We listen, we learn, and we respond”—the cluster is dedicated to building lasting relationships with Indigenous leaders and helpers, one impactful project at a time.

In 2014, Rotarians also initiated Honouring Indigenous Peoples (HIP). It’s mission is to bring Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people together to support community well-being and empower the next generation of leaders on a national scale.

To achieve this goal, HIP hosts annual National Youth-to-Youth (Y2Y) gatherings, which provide week-long leadership experiences for 50 Indigenous and Non-Indigenous youth from across Canada. Building on this momentum, HIP recently launched the Youth-Initiated Project Fund. This new initiative allows Y2Y alumni to apply for funding to launch projects that drive positive change in their local communities.

Rotary has a lot to offer on this path toward reconciliation; we have experience, networks, and resources to share with Indigenous communities - together we have the potential to “create lasting impact”. Partnerships between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people are more likely to be successful if we, as Rotarians, continue to build our awareness about Indigenous peoples’ history and culture.

Curious why people wear orange shirts on September 30? This movement, known as Orange Shirt Day, was inspired by the lived experience of Phyllis Webstad who had her orange shirt taken away on her first day at Indian residential school. It has become an important symbol to honour Residential School survivors and their families, and to remember those children who didn't come home. It also brings people, schools, and industries together to build relationships, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire active participation in reconciliation.

Interested in learning more? Below are free online educational resources available:

4 Seasons of Reconciliation, Business Development Canada (BDC), (3 Hours) https://catalog.bdc.ca/product?catalog=4-Seasons-of-Reconciliation

Indigenous Canada, University of Alberta, (12 hours) https://www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada

Orange Shirt Society https://orangeshirtday.org/resources/

Indigenous Peoples Parentships Cluster (IPPC) https://rotaryindigenouscluster.org/

Honoring Indigenous Peoples (HIP) https://honouringindigenouspeoples.com/

Quote of the Week

“Students are graduating with the knowledge of what happened to us. And they have empathy and they care. They’re going into the world and they’re going to be our next judges, our next MP’s, our next lawyers, police officers, chiefs, and councillors. They’re going to make a really big difference in society.” Phyllis Webstad, Residential School Survivor and Founder of Orange Shirt Day

Dad Joke of the Week

“Why was the jack-o’-lantern too scared to cross the road?”

“It didn’t have any guts”