On Behalf of Cultural Safety and Humility, Indigenous Health and Rural & Remote Operations
Each year on September 30, people across Canada observed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. It was a day to honour the children who never returned home, the Survivors of residential schools, their families, and the communities who continue to carry the impacts of these institutions.
For many Indigenous Peoples, however, truth and reconciliation is not something that begins and ends on one day each year. It is an ongoing journey rooted in truth-telling, accountability, relationship-building, and meaningful action.
September 30 provides an important opportunity to pause, reflect, and learn and unlearn. It also invites us to ask an important question:
What will I do on October 1?
Reconciliation is not measured by a single orange shirt, a social media post, or attending one event. While these actions can be meaningful, lasting change happens through the choices we make every day in our workplaces, communities, and personal lives.
What does reconciliACTION look like in practice?
There is no single path. Everyone begins from a different place, and every action, when grounded in respect and humility, can contribute to meaningful change.
Some ways you can continue your journey throughout the year include:
- Commit to ongoing learning. Read Indigenous-authored books, listen to podcasts, watch documentaries, or attend educational sessions led by Indigenous speakers. Learning about the histories, cultures, rights, and lived experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples helps build understanding beyond what many of us were taught. Take a look at our Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility learning resource list.
- Read the Calls to Action. Spend time with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and reflect on how they connect to your role, your organization, and your community.
- Support Indigenous artists, authors, and businesses. Purchase books, artwork, clothing, or gifts from Indigenous creators. Attend Indigenous markets, performances, and cultural events where community has invited participation.
- Listen to Indigenous voices. Follow Indigenous organizations, leaders, Knowledge Keepers, and educators. Make space to listen before speaking and be open to perspectives that may challenge your own.
- Learn about the Nations where you live and work. Take time to understand whose territories you are on, the history of those Nations, and their ongoing presence, leadership, and contributions today.
- Have courageous conversations. Challenge stereotypes, misinformation, and racism when you encounter them. Sometimes reconciliation begins with respectfully speaking up when something isn't right.
- Reflect on your own assumptions and biases. Consider how your experiences have shaped your worldview and remain open to learning and growing.
- Build relationships. Reconciliation is fundamentally about relationships. Look for opportunities to engage with Indigenous communities when invited, and approach those relationships with respect, reciprocity, and humility.
- Advocate within your workplace. Consider how your team can create more culturally safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments. Small changes, whether in language, policies, or everyday interactions can have a meaningful impact.
- Make learning a habit. Set a goal to read one Indigenous-authored book, attend one community event, or participate in one learning opportunity each season. Small, consistent actions build lasting understanding.
Reconciliation is a journey, not a destination
There will be times when learning feels uncomfortable. We may realize there are things we did not know or perspectives we had not considered. Discomfort is not something to avoid it is often where meaningful learning and growth occurs.
The goal is not perfection. The goal is to remain curious, accountable, and willing to continue learning.
As we move beyond September 30, let us continue to honour the children, Survivors, families, and communities by carrying the spirit of reconciliation forward every day. Through our daily actions, our willingness to listen, and our commitment to creating respectful relationships, each of us has the opportunity to contribute to a future where Indigenous Peoples experience dignity, belonging, equity, and culturally safe spaces.
Truth and reconciliation is not one day on the calendar, it is a commitment we choose to live, every day of the year.