Justice Murray Sinclair of the Truth and Reconciliation commission tables 94 recommendations for the government which will encourage Canadians to participate in building the Canada of our dreams.
Oct. 19, 2015: Justin Trudeau is given a majority government. In his acceptance speech he reiterated his promise to implement all 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The province of British Columbia has also accepted responsibility to follow suit. On Nov. 17, the ministries responsible for health and education have invited Kathi Camillari, who works with aboriginal mental health, to do an experiential workshop for social workers here in Salmon Arm. The school district is also invited to participate. They will be exploring, in depth, the affects of residential schools regarding Canada’s policy of assimilation and colonization,
I quickly phoned to see if she would come a day early, to conduct a workshop for the Shuswap community. The MacQuarrie Institute, in partnership with The Aboriginal Department of School District #83 and the First United Church are pleased to invite everyone to a workshop titled, “Building Bridges Through Understanding the Village.”
What an opportunity to be in the forefront of a spirit which is sweeping the country. Now it is our turn to learn the truth about how Canada came into being, apologize for the injustices that were perpetrated upon the Indigenous people and be reconciled to getting along with each other.
We can take a first step Nov. 16, by participating in the workshop at First United Church, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Dan MacQuarrie
