February 20 to April 3 2019, Wednesdays 7-9 pm in the Fireside Room
To begin to effect truth and reconciliation between settler Canada and First Nations peoples, Ryan McMahon, the Anishinaabe activist, challenged us to read and engage with our foundational laws, treaties, Acts, and official Commission reports and recommendations. “Let’s use pre-existing documents, studies, inquests, etc. that have done ALL the heavy lifting for us,” he said. “It’s not too late to look back at where we’ve been, determine what went and is wrong, and fix things on a go forward basis.”
At the Unitarian Church of Vancouver (UCV), we’re going to try and take up Mr. McMahon’s invitation.
Together, we will read the The Indian Act, The White Paper, relevant portions of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, the Kelowna Accord, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Summary Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Click on links in previous paragraph to see full text of most of these documents. Click here for an overview of Indian Act and other documents
No prior knowledge or expertise is expected (it’s a journey we’re taking together). Just a willingness to read, discuss, listen, learn and be changed.
Reading materials to be provided, with help to cover copying costs appreciated.