Strategies for planning for National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30
Pipikwan Pêhtâkwan is Indigenous owned, led and a majority-staffed public relations agency, located in Edmonton, Alberta. They focus on elevating Indigenous voices, projects and issues. Pipikwan Pêhtâkwan has graciously provided NAABA permission to share some of their recommendations for how businesses, companies and organizations can respectfully honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the workplace on September 30. For more information, visit pipikwanpehtakwan.com.
Reconciliation is a journey
When we think of truth and reconciliation, we can think of it as a journey. Some of us are just getting started and some may be further along in that journey. Regardless of where you are, we may be feeling some anxiety, like we don’t know enough, or we’re fearful of offending people or getting it wrong. These are perfectly normal reactions; when we approach them with understanding and accept it is part of the process, these feelings can become easier to manage.
There is no easy ‘three steps to reconciliation in an hour’ program. Working towards reconciliation could be challenging, uncomfortable and take time. If it were easy, we would have achieved reconciliation by now!
Truth and reconciliation go hand in hand
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) states that “for [reconciliation] to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes and action to change behaviour”. Truth and reconciliation go hand in hand so make sure that is reflected in your activities.
Ask questions
When you’re planning what September 30 looks like for your organization, there are some questions that you can ask.
- Why are we doing this?
- What do we want to accomplish?
- Where is our audience at in terms of understanding?
- What is our goal – awareness, education, a day of reflection/participation?
- What role does our organization/client/company play in this space of truth and reconciliation?
- Which of the 94 Calls to Action apply to our organization?
- How is our organization or company supporting reconciliation efforts?
If you aren’t currently supporting reconciliation, then the question becomes – how prepared are you to answer those questions from staff or community?
Think about timing
Your efforts don’t have to be exclusive to September 30. If your organization is undertaking the work of truth and reconciliation, it should be ongoing work. Remember – Indigenous Peoples are often leaned on heavily for this day and for the entire week. Consider what you need to do to build those partnerships and relationships all year long.
Nothing about us, without us
We want to be sure we remember the sentiment “nothing about us, without us.” Indigenous Peoples are rights holders, not stakeholders.
Indigenous voices are key to ensuring your strategies, actions and communications are meaningful. We must make space to include different perspectives, however we cannot put all the emotional or physical expectations on employees who are Indigenous and/or People of Colour. Especially if they aren’t typically responsible for this type of work.
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