Truth & Reconciliation
"Our future, and the well-being of all our children rests with the kind of relationships we build today."
Chief Dr. Robert Joseph
https://reconciliationcanada.ca/honouring215children/
The OMP working group recognizes the truth of Canada’s history, highlighted by the recent recovery of the remains of Indigenous children in unmarked burial sites at former Residential School sites across Canada. As a sector historically entrenched in white supremacy, Ontario Museums have too often taken a 'wait and see' approach to many topics for fear of offending or being on the wrong side of the story. Non-Indigenous Ontario Museum Professionals must move boldly, and use what capital they have to decolonize, build relationships with Indigenous communities and advance truth and reconciliation.
“Museums play a trusted role in Canada – nearly 9 out of 10 Canadians say that they trust museums as sources of information. It is our moral obligation to use this position of trust to make our country a better place and a critical part of this responsibility is to honestly and openly confront our nation’s violent colonial legacy.
Exhibits, programs, and information that overlook colonial violence or try to “tell both sides” of residential school experiences only perpetuate this violence and bring us further from truth and further from reconciliation.
Museums and museum professionals have the responsibility of helping to shape how Canadians view our shared histories. We cannot avoid discussing difficult topics.”
- Steps Museums and Museum Professionals Can Take to Make a Difference
Listen.
215/Reconciliation by Chief Stacey LaForme
Impact Stories from Reconciliation Canada
Learn.
Progress on Realizing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action
Take a course
Indigenous Canada at the University of Alberta
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Support.
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation welcomes donations to support ongoing work related to the unmarked burial sites of Kamloops Indian Residential School. If you are interested in making a donation, please email donations@kib.ca.
Act.
Steps Museums and Museum Professionals Can Take to Make a Difference
Develop a "Back Pocket Reconciliation Plan"
Write to your MPs, MLAs, and Elected Local Government Officials. To find and contact your MP, visit this directory
Incorporate Reconciliation into Your Organizational Practices
Hire Indigenous Talent
Hire and Train Indigenous Students
Diversify Your Supply Chain
Indigenous Cultural Safety Training for Staff
Consultation & Relationship Building in Economic Development
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day
Update policies to prioritize collaboration, engagement and partnership with Indigenous Peoples
Royal BC Museum - Indigenous Collections and Repatriation Policy
Museum of Anthropology - Indigenous Access & Engagement
Use Your Voice and Influence to Educate Your Community through programs and exhibitions
Make space at your institution for communities to grieve & show support