Honouring First Nations People
Take care of the land, each other, and all living things
Listen Learn Heal Share
So grateful to live, work, create, play on the sacred lands of Coast Salish and Tla’amin People.
This page is an ever evolving labour of love, so thank you for visiting, your contributions are welcome.
I feel blessed to live here in coastal BC, listening to and learning from the Coast Salish People, we live on their land and have so much to learn.
This page is a resource for you curious folks to learn too.
Keep scrolling, there’s lots to discover, hopefully this inspires you to do your own local research too.
Who’s land do you Live on ? Click to see.
Finding a Good Way Forward
Tla’amin Nation Elders return to the dock they were taken from to residential schools at 7 years old. 150,000 children removed from family, language, culture to be re-programmed and assimilated into mainstream life. Every First Nations child was taken for 4 generations from 1831 to 1996 by decree of Canada’s Indian Act.
We live on their land.
Truth & Reconciliation begins with Truth. The truth of the injustices and the truth of us all healing.
Every Child Matters, 10,028 childen’s bodies found in old residential schools grounds, returning these stolen children’s spirit home is part of the healing in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation chapter, that may take several generations to heal and restore.
Take care of the land, take care of the people, take care of all living things
Honour the elders, the stories and wisdom of our ancestors
We are all related, strong survivors of 7,500 generations of humanity
Consider the next 7 generations in all our choices
The land does not belong to us, we borrow it from future generations
To heal we must face the truth to reconcile
As settlers we must help each other learn and help our First Nations friends heal
It is not for our First Nations friends to teach us
It is for us to learn and discover the harsh reality of mistreatment and attempted assimilation
A cultural genocide, removing the Indian from the child
Destroying culture, people, language, community
It will take many generations to heal
So what can we each do today…
The resources below may help you decide how you’d like be part of finding a good way forward.
Maybe start with :
Who’s land do we live on ?
Where are they now, and how are they doing ?
Read the paper, featured here
Explore this page, learn and understand from the Indigenous Point on View
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Thank You
Thank you to all our ancestors, relations and guides, especially the Tla’amin Nation, Jane, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Betty, Cindy, Chelsea, and all those who helped us to hear and feel and share.
What will it take to build fair and honourable relationships between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people ?
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This Webpage
Here you will find my amateur discoveries, having taken interest in First Nations Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, following the direction of friends and guides, attending Truth and Reconciliation meetings and other Cultural experiences.
As a curious amateur, I’ve heard and felt with my heart. Please don’t be reactive or defensive, read and explore to understand, its a painful journey, generously shared by those who have suffered through it all and as a result of these atrocities.
Here’s to a kind inclusive healthy future.
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Links and Resources
The following lists of resources are designed for sharing and easy exploration of the past 500 years of attempted assimilation and cultural genocide here in Canada.
There are hundreds of hours of reading and viewing, so maybe create a reading group, tackle a little every day.
Begin somewhere, please ~ start with the paper below.
Discover who’s land you live on. Adobt a land acknowledgement.
If you’d like to contribute new content please use the button provided in that respective section.
Thank you.
Featured Paper
CREATING A FAIR AND HOROURABLE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ABORIGINAL AND NON-ABORIGINAL PEOPLE: WHAT WILL IT TAKE?
ABSTRACT
For me, once I see something, I can’t then unsee it. Imagine every 7-year-old child taken from every home in the land for three generations. Culture, language and connection erased; families destroyed. The impact of these actions became clear to me when I witnessed these children, now elders of the local Tla’amin First Nation in Canada, return to the very place they were taken from 60 years ago. My hope in creating this paper is to raise awareness and connect with those who care for our First Nation friends.
From the Journal of the Conference for Global Transformation ~ Allowing Vision to Speak May 20, 21 and 22, 2022
Read the Paper by John Hewson (pages 124-133) PDF
Clickable Endnotes PDF (also referenced below)
Resources for learning healing sharing ~ finding a good way forward.
This must never happen again, and must come to an end.
Start Here
Maybe tune into CBC and other podcasts to enjoy this rich First Nations culture we tried to destroy, it’s very much alive and is sure to touch your soul.
Consider the indigenous child, family, community point of view and consider both their healing journey along with your own.
Imagine your children or grandparents and parents being treated this way. It’s time for change Canada. Some say we are slow, others say we are leading the way.
Check back for more content we revise and add content regularly.
Thank you for caring. We welcome suggestions for content and correction.
Our goal is to share so we can all listen, learn, heal and grow together.
Research & Learning Tools
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Truth & Reconciliation ~ Paper by John Hewson, for the Conference of Global Transformation, 2022 Journal
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Who's Land do you Live on ? Click here to Find Out... native-land.ca
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UBC Museum of Anthropology
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UBC Museum of Anthology Archive
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CBC Radio Unreserved ~ Indigenous community, culture, and conversation, with host Rosanna Deerchild
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CBC Radio Reclaimed ~ explore the many worlds of contemporary Indigenous music with Jarrett Martineau
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This Place podcast ~ audio (no visual) 150 years of Indigenous resistance and resilience going beyond the story we have been taught.
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Join A Book Circle ~ For the Love of Equality offers a 5 week cycle of reading & sharing
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CBC Gem ~ Listen/Watch Anywhere, includes Indigenous Content, Ap also available
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CBC Listen ~ Live Radio and Podcasts
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Mark Charles YouTube Channel 'Second Cup of Coffee' ~ dual citizen of the United States and the Navajo Nation, lives in Washington DC, talks about the on-going work to build a nation where We the People truly means #AllThePeople
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UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan ~ visionary example of leadership in action for all industry to follow
Recommended essential reading for every Canadian, by author activiist Chelsea Vowel in her book “Indigenous Writes. A Guide to First Nations, Métis & Inuit Issues in Canada”.
Highlights from the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.
Government of Canada. October 1996
Sadly action has been slow and many First Nations communities and individuals continue to suffer as a result of slow response to this report from 30 years ago, public attention was aroused in 2021 with the discovery of children’s graves in old residential schools, it’s time to pressure the government agencies to follow through with real effective caring action.
Truth & Reconciliation Video Links
Watch one a day, your full attention on a bigger screen. The truth isn’t easy. Please share with friends.
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Seven Sacred Laws ~ the teachings of elders in 8 animated short episodes
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Truth and Reconciliation ~ Kevin Lamoureux at TEDx University of Winnipeg 2019
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We Are All Connected with Nature ~ Nixiwaka Yawanawa at TEDx Hackney
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Orange Shirt Day ~ Phyllis Webstand shares her experiences of residential school
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Trailer Returning Home ~ trailer Canadian Geographic documentary on the impact of residential schools in BC Canada
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Canadian Residential School System History ~ individual and multi-generational truths & trauma
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National Film Board Orange Shirt Day Playlist ~ a collection of educational shorts and full film
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The Healer - by Digging Roots ~ song and drum to heal human hearts
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Working together in partnership, the Tla’amin Nation and non-indigenous people honouring and having respect for self, family and community ways of life prior to contact ~ 2 short films on reconciliation & the canoe project
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The story of Chanie "Charlie" Wenjack, whose death sparked the first inquest into the treatment of Indigenous children in Canadian residential schools ~ 1 minute
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Stolen Children ~ Residential School survivors speak out, how Residential Schools affected survivors and their children and grandchildren. CBC June 2015
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Healing a Nation Through Truth and Reconciliation ~ Chief Dr Robert Joseph TEDxEastVan May 2016
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MaCharles (Navajo) ~ Doctrines of Discovery
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Former residential school teacher Florence Kaefer opens up about reconciliation ~ Finding Truth & Reconciliation ~ CBC Duncan McCue 2013
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CBC Gem ~ Truth & Reconciliation Collection, hear the stories of Indigenous voices through this collection of movies, specials and documentaries.
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History vs Christopher Columbus ~ hero or villain TED-Ed call to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People's Day in the United States
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Native American History YouTube Channel ~ 25+ Videos
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UK Comedian Eddie Izzard ~ The Flag sketch clip from his Dress to Kill tour ~ 1 minute on how Empires were built. Warning some blue language.
Truth & Reconciliation Reading List
Some good reading as recommended by a number of thoughtful guides.
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White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
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First Nations 101 by Lynda Gray
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Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis, & Inuit Issues in Canada by Chelsea Vowel
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Five Little Indians by Michelle Good (CBC #1 in Canada 2021)
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21 Things You May Not Know About The Indian Act by Bob Joseph (CBC #2 in Canada 2021)
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Johnny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead (CBC #5 in Canada 2021)
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This Place, 150 Years Retold ~ through the eyes of Indigenous creators, beautifully illustrated graphic novel, 10 enlightened stories of survival. Teacher guide also available.
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Braiding Sweetgrass. Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Potawatomi botanist professor Robin Wall Kimmerer
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When The Legends Die by Hal Borland ~ masterful uplifting work of fiction about the American Indian & the white man against his brother.
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Back to the Red Road by residential school teacher Florence Kaefer and her student Edward Gamblin
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The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King
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35 books to read for National Indigenous History Month
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CBC Top 10 Bestselling Books for 2021 :
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NCTR National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation ~ Education Resources
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Truth & Reconciliation 94 Calls to Action ~ from the TRC Summary of the Final Report 2015
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UNDRIP ~ The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the spirit of partnership and mutual respect
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Additional Reading ~ from the book 21 Things You May Not Know About The Indian Act by Bob Joseph
Artist Activist Kent Monkman
The Scream 2017, Acrylic on canvas, 84” x 126” Collection of the Denver Art Museum Image courtesy of the artist.
Kent Monkman born 1965, an interdisciplinary Cree visual artist, member of Fisher River Cree Nation in Treaty 5 Territory (Manitoba), he lives and works in Dish With One Spoon Territory (Toronto, Canada).
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kent+monkman
Website https://www.kentmonkman.com
“Known for his provocative interventions into Western European and American art history, Monkman explores themes of colonization, sexuality, loss, and resilience—the complexities of historic and contemporary Indigenous experiences—across painting, film/video, performance, and installation. Monkman’s gender-fluid alter ego Miss Chief Eagle Testickle often appears in his work as a time-traveling, shape-shifting, supernatural being who reverses the colonial gaze to challenge received notions of history and Indigenous peoples.”
Take some time to explore his insightful impactful paintings, these provocative interventions are usually huge wall sized pieces depicting First Nations lived reality.
The Scream and two more powerful images ~ there’s many more… take some time on a big screen, let it in.
The Scream https://www.kentmonkman.com/painting/2017/1/20/the-scream
Mother’s Grief https://www.kentmonkman.com/painting/2017/3/7/a-mothers-grief
The Scoop https://www.kentmonkman.com/painting/2018/8/7/the-scoop
Educational Film & Documentaries
Please watch from the point of view of the Indigenous People.
Learn, discuss, share ~ let’s heal and find a good way forward together.
We add new content regularly and appreciate recommendations.
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The New World ~ 2005 movie available on YouTube subscription or rental, the Pocahontas Captain John Smith story of the 1607 first settlement of Jamestown Virginia
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Black Robe ~ 1991 movie available on YouTube a darker portrait of 17th century European Jesuit priest’s journey with native people through the Algonquin wilderness
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Into The West ~ Steven Spielberg’s 2005 mini-series, six 90 minute episodes. Tales from the American West in the 19th century, told from the perspective of two families, one of white settlers and one of Native Americans
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The Canary Effect: Kill the Indian, Save the Man ~ 2006 film delves into the often misunderstood and frequently overlooked historic realities of the American Indian and the abuses instilled upon the Indigenous people of North America
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Our Sisters In Spirit (MMIWG Documentary) ~ 2016 explores the question of calling a national public inquiry into the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women & girls in Canada or whether there may be a better approach
Reports Papers History
Many of these came from the research for the Paper above.
It’s been a long slow journey to hear the truth and finally talk action.
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October 1996 Highlights from the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Government of Canada ~ recommended reading for all Canadians
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October 1996 The full 4,000 page 5 volume Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Canada Library of Archives. Leading to the formation of TRC
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2015 Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future. Summary of the Final Report of the TRC, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
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2015 94 Calls to Action. The Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
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December 15, 2015 Statement by Prime Minister on release of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
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Genocide and Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The Canadian Encyclopedia on First Nations
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Cultural genocide: the shameful history of Canada’s residential schools – mapped.” The Guardian. Sept. 6, 2021.
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United Nations Genocide Is A Crime
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Duncan Campbell Scott, deputy superintendent of Indian Affairs 1913 to 1932, the highest-ranking cabinet member concerning Indigenous affairs, a central role in both Treaty 9 and expanding the residential school system.
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Canadian Indian residential school system,” Wikipedia
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Residential School System Timeline. National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
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Overview of the Indian Residential School System. Union of Ontario Indians 2013
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Why it’s difficult to put a number on how many children died at residential schools.” Canadian Broadcasting Company. Sept. 29, 2021
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Residential School Factsheet. Native Women’s Association of Canada. 2015
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Dozens of Canada’s First Nations lack drinking water: ‘Unacceptable in a country so rich.’” The Guardian. Apr. 30, 2021
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UNDRIP: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Sept. 13, 2007
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June 21, 2021, UNDRID the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People becomes law in Canada ~ backgrounder
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Implementing UNDRID in Canada, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People became law June 21, 2021
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Canada reaches agreement to compensate Indigenous children taken from families
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October 28, 2021 Pope Francis’ apology in Canada. National Center for Truth and Reconciliation, University of Manitoba
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September 25, 2021 Catholic bishops in Canada apologize for Indigenous residential schools. NBC News
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Interconnectedness. All my relations. First Nations Pedagogy
21 Things You Can Do To Change The World
From the book 21 Things You May Not Know About The Indian Act by Bob Joseph
Also from the book 21 Things You May Not Know About The Indian Act by Bob Joseph
Almost half the book is references:
Appendix 1 : Terminology
Appendix 2 : India Residential Schools, A Chronology
Appendix 3 : Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 94 Calls to Action categorized
Appendix 4 : Classroom Activities, Discussion Guide, and Additional Reading (includes 21 things you can do to help change the world ~ photo above)
Appendix 5 : Quotes from Sir John A Macdonald and Duncan Cammpbell Scott.
Listen to the whisper ~ it’s your nature deep inside