Further reflections on reconciliation

Recently, I wrote about the speech given by Dr Chris Scribe on Reconciliation. Among the topics covered in his speech were tips on how to craft a reconciliation statement – basically a pledge on how one can do better in the world regarding Indigenous People and our relation with them.

He said the statement was to have three key features:

Acknowledging the harm done – recognizing the crimes of the past

Opening the door to healing – creating space for dialogue and understanding

Committing to taking real, intentional steps – Taking steps that support reconciliation and lead to lasting change.

He also went onto to detail how everyone's statement should be personal – that we should speak from the heart, but also start by listening – there are educational opportunities everywhere, along with history books, some of which actually detail fair depictions of the injustice too. As with one's personal career, networking and building personal relationships are a keystone to helping make a difference in the world, even if it's only with a handful of people. Finally, we need to embrace the path forward by making a plan, and taking action through that plan, with efforts such as mentorship, professional development and promoting prosperity.

This last point resonates with me particularly – it can be easy to sometimes feel like we're owed something, such as a promotion because we've been in one job for sometime, and becoming jealous of people's opportunities is not a healthy thing. Allow it to motivate you, to push you further, to find that missing piece of the puzzle, but never grow to resent another person.

I'll be the first to admit that my last career move was through an opening of dumb luck, as much as it was someone else's plan. That is not to say that I'm not a hard worker, haven't put in my time, or that I'm not talented. On the contrary, I am all of those things. I know that frustration, feeling like your career is languishing and you're not catching a break. But never was I jealous of someone else's success.

Moreover, recently, I've been humbly directed to seek guidance of a community elder, because I asked about incorporating Indigenous myth, the stories of yore into my own writing – tales I wish to see told and retold the way that the Greeks or Norse are.

But I was humbled to realize that while I'm neither Greek nor Scandinavian, these stories the Indigenous North Americans tell are living history as much as they are historical. While we get mass media productions about many European myths, the cultural context is different. These other mythologies were not nearly genocided off the face of the Earth.

Besides, this is one of the ways I can better myself. By pushing myself out of my comfort zone – coming to a total stranger as an amateur student. I acknowledge they may tell me not to. I may never be told it's a good or acceptable idea.

But I have to learn, because I want to see these cultures begin to thrive beyond the walls of their communities.

Chris posed 4 questions to think about, when making a statement of reconciliation. I've answered three of them already. The fourth is simply, not very high, but I take opportunities when they come. And I've made a point of that since university.

For clarity, those questions are:

1How much are you engaging with your Indigenous Team members

2How would you rate your level of engagement with Indigenous Cultures and Community?

3How do you think you can contribute to positive change in Indigenous relations?

4In one word, what does reconciliation mean to you?

?

Hope. (for the future)