Reconciliation is an ongoing commitment that requires meaningful action from each of us. According to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), reconciliation is “an ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships.” This process involves repairing damaged trust through meaningful apologies, providing individual and collective reparations, and demonstrating a commitment to societal change through concrete actions. Since 2015, the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action have served as a roadmap for addressing the harmful legacy of colonial policies, such as the Indian Residential Schools, and achieving systemic change.
As members of the Faculty of Medicine (FoM), our roles directly relate to many of these Calls to Action, particularly those focused on health care and post-secondary education (e.g., Calls 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 57, 62, and 65). Nearly a decade since the TRC report and four years after UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan was released, we must ask ourselves: What actions are we taking, both personally and within our units or departments, to advocate for and implement these changes?
Our FoM community must move beyond simply discussing reconciliation; we must actively engage in it daily—within our families, communities, institutions, and workplaces. This requires a sustained commitment to building and maintaining respectful relationships. Concrete actions can be taken both individually and at the unit level.
Actions You Can Take Individually:
Join Events
- “Coming Home: Honouring the Resiliency of All Survivors of the Indian Residential School Experience”
Participate in a transformative ceremony and dialogue among generations of Survivors of the Indian Residential School experience. Learn from First Nations communities about healing and reconciliation through their unique traditions, ceremonies, and spiritual practices. This first in-person session of the Indigenous Speakers Series takes place on Wednesday, September 25th, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (PDT) at the UBC University Centre. - Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day:
Participate in this march to show solidarity with Indigenous communities, honour Survivors, and remember the children who never returned home from residential schools. Events like these raise awareness and support the call for justice and ongoing reconciliation. - Visit the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at UBC:
Explore the history of individual residential schools and learn about the children who died or never returned home. This centre provides a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of the residential school system. Learn more about the IRSHD centre and sign up for their newsletter.
Expand your Knowledge
- Land Acknowledgements Course:
Learn how to meaningfully acknowledge Indigenous lands and peoples. - Weaving Relations Course:
A self-directed course that explores Indigenous histories, people, and contexts, as well as settler colonialism in Canada, through the lens of Indigenous-Canadian relationships. The course considers how we got to where we are now, and how we can build a better future together. - UBC Indigenous Peoples Language Guide:
This guide provide comprehensive guidance on using respectful and accurate terminology when referring to Indigenous peoples.
Decolonize Your Media Choices
Diversify your media consumption by engaging with music, books, films, and art created by Indigenous artists. This practice not only supports Indigenous voices but also broadens your understanding of their experiences and contributions. o help you get started, check out the curated lists from REDI.
- REDI’s Media list for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Watch films and documentaries about the residential school experience, Canada’s colonial legacy, and the path forward for healing and reconciliation to deepen your understanding and support the journey toward reconciliation. - REDI’s Indigenous Musicians List
Discover and support Indigenous musicians through this curated list. Listening to their music allows you to connect with their stories and cultural expressions, fostering appreciation and support - REDI’s Reading list for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Expand your knowledge of Indigenous experiences, histories, and perspectives. Reading these works helps deepen your understanding of the impacts of colonization and the ongoing process of reconciliation.
Actions You Can Take at the Unit or Department Level:
If your unit is ready to create change, consider the following meaningful resources and actions.
Resources & Toolkits for Units
- Indigenous Strategic Plan Self-Assessment Toolkit:
Faculty of Medicine units can use this toolkit to evaluate their current efforts toward Indigenization, identify areas for improvement, and develop tailored strategies for action. The tool helps guide units through a reflective process that highlights gaps and sets priorities aligned with UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan. - “Pulling Together” Professional Development Guide:
This resource offers a series of self-guided modules designed to help staff understand and implement Indigenization and decolonization in post-secondary contexts. Faculty of Medicine units can use it for group learning sessions, fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous histories and practices among team members. - NCIME Catalogue:
The NCIME Catalogue offers valuable tools to foster culturally safe and equitable medical education for Indigenous learners. It features guidelines on Indigenous student admissions, anti-racism strategies, curriculum enhancement, faculty recruitment, and Indigenous physician wellness, all aimed at advancing Indigenous medical education and leadership in health care.
Suggested Actions for Units
- Revise Awards Criteria:
Update criteria to reflect Indigenous ways of knowing and being, acknowledging diverse forms of expertise. - Value Lived Experience in Hiring:
Ensure hiring processes and job descriptions go beyond academic credentials to value lived experiences. - Support Indigenous Learners:
Evaluate and enhance your programs to provide robust support for Indigenous learners. - Hire Indigenous Catering Companies:
Make a conscious choice to support Indigenous businesses by using Indigenous catering companies for events. - Engage in Brief Professional Development Activities:
Consider brief 10-minute sessions that encourage reflection on what reconciliation, Indigenization, and decolonization mean for your specific context. These discussions can serve as a catalyst for deeper engagement and change. - Participate in Commemorative Events:
Encourage your team to attend events around September 30th to honour Indigenous communities and histories.
If your unit is ready to act, the REDI Office is here to support you. Shifting deep-seated colonial structures and mindsets is challenging work, and we are here to help guide you.
Reconciliation is a journey we must all undertake. Let’s move forward together, actively committing to this process in our work and our lives.