ReconciliACTIONs - The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

What is a reconciliACTION?

A reconciliACTION is a meaningful action that moves reconciliation forward. ReconciliACTIONs aim to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together in the spirit of reconciliation to create awareness, share, and learn. It is the answer to Gord’s call to ‘Do Something’; do something to raise further awareness, do something that improves the lives of Indigenous people, do something that improves the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. ReconciliACTIONs act as the catalyst for important conversations and meaningful change, recognizing that change starts with every one of us and each person can make an impact.

Nelson

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Nelson

Nelson employees kicked-off a year of fundraising efforts with Orange Shirt Day in September 2018. The t-shirts were designed by artists James Darin Corbiere, who is Anishinaabe (Odawa) from Northern Ontario and belongs to the Bear Clan, and Ma’iingan Lisa Corbiere, who is of Irish and Anishinaabe decent from Ontario and belongs to the Marten Clan. Nelson sold 5,213 t-shirts to students, parents, and schools across the country. Nelson is donating all profits from the sale of the t-shirts to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. To further their journey of reconciliation, Nelson has created an Indigenous Education Mission Statement to demonstrate this as a commitment separate from the overall corporate mission statement.

Cape Breton University

Photo credit: Courtesy of CBU

The children at Cape Breton University (CBU) daycare enjoyed a special visit and reading from Mi’kmaq artist, Alan Syliboy. Alan was commissioned by CBU to create a beautiful painting depicting the life of Chanie for the launch of the Legacy Space which is situated in the University’s Library.

Ecole Confederation Elementary School

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Ecole Confederation Elementary School

Students from Ecole Confederation Elementary School in the Grand Erie District School Board took part in the “Between the Two Rows” community mural project. It is a community mural that examines personal identity, cultural boundaries, and the importance of relationship building between cultures through communication and collaboration. The central/compositional imagery is based on the symbolism of the Two Row Wampum which was a 17th-century peace agreement between the Haudenosaunee and the European settlers. Two boats moving side by side on the river in peace and friendship.

Books & Company

Photo credit: Courtesy of Prince Edward County Arts Council

Books & Company hosted a special reading for students in Picton County. Ted Norris, Vice Chair National Advisory Circle presented a gift for the Legacy Space accepted by Isy Patton of Books & Company and Legacy Space champion – a smudge bowl with tobacco, sage, cedar, sweetgrass. Ted explained the significance of the four sacred plants. Isy Patton explained the purpose of the Legacy Space and welcomed the students from Sophiasburgh School and Tyendinaga Mohawk School. Anne Preston, Chair of County Kids Read introduced Indigenous author Melanie Florence who read from her book Stolen Words. Melanie engaged with the students to discuss themes of language, storytelling, identity, and the effects of residential schools. She also spoke about why it was important for her to write this book as a part of her healing.

Holy Trinity Catholic High School

Photo credit: Courtesy of Holy Trinity Catholic High School

Holy Trinity Catholic High School of the Ottawa Catholic School Board has created a mural that includes an acknowledgement that their school is located on unceded territory of the Algonquin people. Along with the painted mural they have placed banners created by students of the Ottawa Catholic School Board. These banners depict the four directions of the medicine wheel along with their teachings. All of these help create a physical space that shows the commitment of students and staff to move Reconciliation forward within their community.

Rogers Communications

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Rogers

The Indigenous Peoples Committee partnered with Rogers’ Green Teams to host Earth Day Celebrations at two Rogers campuses in April 2019. Indigenous artist Philip Cote delivered a moving traditional indigenous song of thanks to the spirits as well as a Land Acknowledgment to launch the Brampton event. Philip was also commissioned to create a one-of-a-kind boardroom table which is the centrepiece for the Rogers Legacy Space.

The two events were attended by hundreds of employees who came to share their own stewardship stories, learn about our incredible environmental programs and to pledge their own personal commitment to making our collective world a better place for all.

Lakefield District Public School

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lakefield District Public School

Kindergarten students from Lakefield District Public School in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board showed there’s no such thing as being too young to integrate First Nations, Metis, and Inuit resources and acts of reconciliation into a classroom. Using the story “When we Were Alone” by Alexander Robertson, students shared what their “most important thing” was and what it means to them. The class then created a poster – using the colours of the medicine wheel alongside their school’s First Nations, Metis, Inuit Educator – that travels to classrooms within the school community. This poster holds QR codes that link to audio of students telling you the story of their “most important thing” in their own voices.