The Pursuit of Reconciliation at OCV Secondary

The Pursuit of Reconciliation at OCV Secondary

by Grace Catton

Màmawi Together is an Indigenous-led organization that presents a series of challenges for youth across Canada. They challenge Canadians to open a dialogue in their community about reconciliation in order to empower action across the nation. Some of the challenges require systematic changes: a history curriculum that is accurate and mandatory, more Indigenous teachers and community leaders, and equal funding for Indigenous communities. One challenge, however, was geared specifically towards students: the creation of a legacy project within schools that will increase awareness and begin dialogues about the challenges and injustices that face Indigenous people. The Virtual Voice hopes to continue the dialogue that began in the student and faculty ReconciliACTION polls, with the hope that this dialogue will continue past the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year and empower positive change.

From the student poll, around 54% of respondents stated that they were seeking guidance in understanding reconciliation, and 30% stated that they were unsure how to apply their knowledge of reconciliation to their everyday life. In the staff poll, 43% of respondents were comfortable in their path to reconciliation, while 36% were hesitant and wishful for guidance. Many respondents expressed that what they would most appreciate from The Virtual Voice is a detailed, explicit definition of reconciliation, and what it actually means.

Reconciliation has a simple definition--it is defined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as being the establishment and maintenance of mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The pursuit of reconciliation, however, is far from simple, especially in a country where most citizens, community leaders, and government officials still do not acknowledge or understand true Canadian history, and the depth of the violent crime, injustice, and systematic racism that is committed against Indigenous people to this day. There is a large amount of learning and unlearning that needs to be done by non-Indigenous people in order to collectively pursue the goal of respectful reconciliation. The best place to begin is to actively pursue learning opportunities about Indigenous people from Indigenous people.

Many respondents also expressed high expectations from the school community in regards to their involvement with local Indigenous leaders. Students would appreciate more opportunities to learn from Indigenous educators and elders, be it in the form of new classes run by Indigenous teachers, presentations by guest speakers from local Indigenous communities, or from volunteer and work opportunities where Indigenous and non-Indigenous students can work together. Teachers would appreciate more professional development opportunities about Indigenous people, and to know how they can educate their students in a respectful manner that honours reconciliation. Students want the school to highlight Indigenous businesses, cultures, and traditions, as well as to provide more platforms for the Indigenous students and community leaders that wish to share their culture.

The Virtual Voice wants to thank all those who responded to the polls. The questions, comments, and resources that were provided by the responses were insightful and important to the collective growth of our school community. The polls demonstrated that OCV is eager for more conversation and collaboration between schools and local Indigenous communities, and hopes that in future school years the changes required for reconciliation to occur will be implemented. The many Indigenous texts, voices, and organizations that OCV recommended in the two polls is provided below.

Thank you to Ayasikwêšimo Pilêw and The OCDSB Original Voices Youth Council for the actions that began the Virtual Voice reconciliation dialogue.

“Indigenous joy is a very important aspect of Reconciliation” - Ovilu Corey