When it comes to Truth and Reconciliation, let’s face it: I don’t know what I don’t know.
By Lisa Hartford, National Lead, CanAge
I, and CanAge, my employer, are allies of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people from coast to coast to coast. We use an Indigenous lens when crafting our policy work, and personally consult with communities and individuals about issues that matter most to their older adults.
That said, I struggled this week when asked to create content to acknowledge National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Would this be authentic? Am I the right person to write this? I didn’t think so. As a Caucasian, anything I thought about creating felt like tokenism.
Like almost all my neighbours, I had an orange shirt hung from my porch until it was stolen by some local hooligan. Looking back, I wonder if anyone thought those shirts were easy tokens of expressing the most simple, even meaningless way of commemorating something we should all feel terrible about. That we do feel terrible about.
But as time revealed, it wasn’t tokenism. It was a conversation starter. “Mom, why does everyone have orange t-shirts outside?” And the truth was told.
There’s so much more I want to know. What makes a true ally? At CanAge, we will keep consulting, and keep using an Indigenous lens when working to make Canada the best place to grow older. We will listen and learn and reflect and act. On a personal level, I will read more and I’ll continue to communicate with my MPP about the lack of potable water in Indigenous communities in my province (he blames the opposition, go figure). Listen and learn and reflect and act. That is the opposite of tokenism.
First, watch this video (embedded below), suggested by two of CanAge’s Fellows. “We Won’t Forget You” was written, recorded and filmed with students from Sk’elep School of Excellence in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, Kamloops, British Columbia.
Next, join CanAge! When you do, you’re supporting our work to improve and protect the lives of older Indigenous people across the country.
Then, look at ways that you can become an ally of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people. The establishment of this first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is a positive step towards achieving both objectives, but action must be taken everyday. We must all do our part. For starters, I replaced that orange shirt.
Updated October 12, 2021, to reflect the composition of Indigenous populations.
Walking the Walk: What we’re Doing to Help
CanAge’s policy book, VOICES: A Roadmap to an Age-Inclusive Canada, makes multiple evidence-based recommendations to advance the rights and well-being of aging Indigenous people in our country across our 6 priority areas:
- Violence and Abuse Prevention
- Optimal Health and Wellness
- Infection Prevention and Disaster Response
- Caregiving, Long-Term Care, Home Care and Housing Resources
- Economic Security
- Social Inclusion