A Better Story

Trigger Warning: This post includes the topic of the Indian Residential School system in Canada. I originally wrote this in June after the discovery of the remains of children in Kamloops. I promised then that I would make reconciliation a part of my decision-making come election time and onwards. Post-election, we all have a responsibility to hold ourselves accountable for ensuring Indigenous voices are at the forefront of life on these lands. I’m on a continual journey with this and I hope you are as well.

When I've listened to a First Nations speaker, I will sometimes hear them speak of past events as if they are currently happening in the present. I started thinking about that years ago, and since then, it's helped me understand that not only did Canada commit genocide on the indigenous populations before and years after confederation, but that genocide is ongoing. That hurt is alive. The cries continue.

With the recent discovery in Kamloops, I think a porthole of empathy has opened up, and Settlers are feeling the terror, anger, and grief felt by parents who had their children stolen away from them. When we put our kids to bed, our imaginations begin to ask the question, "what was the first night like for those babies crying out for their parents?" It's only the tip of the iceberg of trauma experienced by the people of First Nations.

This idea of an ongoing story does ignite some hope in my heart. If we choose to do so, we can intervene in this tragedy. I'll be the first to confess that I'm only five years into a journey of trying to understand, so I don't have a whole lot to recommend in terms of solutions, but I would like to share a bit of what my journey has looked like so far.

Every year, I read the calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report in its entirety. It lays out a clear path for us all to follow if we truly want to see meaningful change.

I'm making efforts to read more books written by indigenous authors. We have exceptional talent here in Canada, and this is a great way to amplify their voices.

I donate money to organizations that serve First Nations directly. There are great local organizations that have a plan. They certainly do not need my ideas or strategies. They need financial support. If they are working towards bringing healing and peace to those reeling from the impacts of genocide, I will do what I can to have their back.

I am enjoying the Indigenous Canada course offered through the University of Alberta. It is incredibly generous, gracious and I think all adults should make a choice to invest 21 hours this year to complete it.

Tonight we took our boys to the Legislature so that they could bring one of their teddy bears as a symbolic act of remembrance for the children killed in the residential school system. We explained that our country did something terrible, and it's up to us today to make it right. The boys took it to heart and were happy to part with one of their stuffed animal friends.

Suppose the past and present happen together. Can we send love back to those who were wounded? I hope that perhaps the spirit of one of those children who perished was with us tonight at the Legislature. Maybe that child saw two funny little boys bringing a Teddy Bear for them and felt their love.

We have a long ways to go, but let's make this a better story.