National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Assignment

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Toronto Metropolitan University *

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602

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Political Science

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Dec 6, 2023

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1 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Assignment Mackenzie Cox Toronto Metropolitan University CYC602: Children’s Rights Dr. Tara Collins September 29, 2023

2 TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION ASSIGNMENT I feel the best way for me to participate in the journey to reconciliation and decolonization is to allow Indigenous voices and perspectives to be heard. Their knowledge has been dismissed and their voices have been silenced continuously throughout the history of Canada. I believe one of the most critical things one must do as an ally is listen and learn. One cannot hope to stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities without first understanding what reconciliation and decolonization means and looks like from their view. We must allow for the truths of Indigenous communities across the country to be spoken. This year, I chose to participate in a webinar presented by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. This incredible organisation hosted webinars each weekday leading up September 30th, discussing topics related to reconciliation and Indigenous history. The subject matter discussed on my event day was the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People with guest speaker Karen Drake. Karen is an Ojibwe woman and associate professor at Osgoode Law School, it was an honour to hear her speak. This session provided me with an abundance of new information, and I found it connected so well with our learning in class. The speaker asserted that this declaration should be regarded as a framework for the process of reconciliation. The two main areas of focus from the declaration include: the nonacceptance of the doctrine of discovery, as well as the self-determination rights of Indigenous people. The notion of ‘discovery’ which is still regarded today as ‘history’ must be changed, land that is occupied cannot be discovered. Karen emphasised this in her discussion and maintained that this narrative must be shifted in order to move toward reconciliation. The second aspect of the declaration states that Indigenous communities have inherent rights to govern their own communities and follow their own laws. Karen argued that this must be done without any interference or approval from the Canadian government for it to be truly decolonizing. I look forward to reading the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People more in-depth and sharing it with my peers.

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