The Inter-Council Network, consisting of Canada’s eight Provincial and Regional Councils for International Cooperation, will observe September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. As the ICN, we call on all council staff, members, and partners to honour the day with meaningful participation in conversations that highlight truths of the Indigenous treaties, First Nation, Métis and Inuit land claims, and the residential schools system.
We encourage everyone to partake in activities, engagement opportunities and discussions, led by Indigenous communities around Canada, and bear witness to the impact of colonial, racist and patriarchal policies, and practices. We must also reflect on our own positionality, power and privilege and how we perpetuate these colonial, racist and patriarchal systems in our everyday lives. We encourage everyone to continue their journeys of unlearning and learning, on this day and beyond, as we commit ourselves through our work to global social justice and social change, through real, decolonial partnerships with Indigenous communities.
Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We must continue to call for action on the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and call to implement the 94 Calls to Action.