KCDCS's Board and several local non-profit organizations, including Kootenay Employment Services, Wildsight, Creston Museum, Creston Valley Wildlife Management Authority, Trails for Creston Valley Society and Valley Community Services, attended a Reconciliation Dialogue Workshop sponsored by KCDCS and facilitated by Reconciliation Canada, a charitable non-profit organization of the Skwxwu'7mesh (Squamish) Nation. One of the main values of the Squamish Nation is 'Namwayut" - We are all one.
The Workshop examined the shared history of First Nations and Non-First Nations people in Canada with emphasis on the personal experiences of the facilitators. Clearly some of the participants were unfamiliar with the impact of the Indian Act and Residential Schools. The presentation was enlightening and affecting. We broke into small groups to discuss our own knowledge and experience with First Nations people and organizations. The emphasis was on how to engage in a respectful way with our First Nations community members and encourage collaboration that is in the best interest of everyone.
Thank you to everyone who attended and shared their knowledge and experience, especially our friends at the Squamish Nation!