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APPROPRIATE USE OF THE TERM 'RECONCILIATION'

Too many Canadians (non-Indigenous and non-Indigenous) use the term inappropriately. It has become too much of a common buzzword these past two decades. As a First Nation person who has lived on an Indian reserve my entire life, made governance decisions under Canada's Indian Act and am of a family directly impacted by Canada's Indian Residential School System; I do have a right to use that term.

I do have a suggestion for non-Indigenous peoples in how to approach this seemingly uncomfortable issue. Instead of using 'truth and reconciliation', start with truth and reality'. I make this suggestion because I am aware how difficult it must be for white people to relate to what reconciliation means. For most status Indians, reconciliation is very difficult to achieve,; mostly because true reconciliation must start with the land, our land. All non-Indigenous leaders seem to think reconciliation is accomplished best by writing a check. In addition to the land issue, reconciliation must start with actual healing.

The most effective way to understand reconciliation is to study Canada's colonization history (Indian Act, Indian Reserve System, Indian Residential School System).

INDIGENOUS INSIGHT IS A ABORIGINAL-OWNED COMPANY OPERATING ON TLA'AMIN NATION LANDS

Indigenous Insight provides Indigenous engagement, cultural awareness training and advisory services to non-Indigenous businesses, corporations and all levels of government. Advisory services include truth & reconciliation, Aboriginal rights and title.

Navigating the complex Indigenous engagement issues for 637 recognized Indian bands across Canada, their websites and band office organization / corporate structures, is daunting.

While many First Nation communities thrive in today's economic climate, many more struggle to bring economic benefit and other opportunities (i.e., employment, education/training) back to their communities. It is not an overstatement that most First Nation communities have been in a colonial recession since the time of contact with European settlers.

ABOUT KWAST-en-ayu (or Maynard)

L. Maynard Harry is a citizen of the Tla'amin Nation (TN) and was bestowed with the ancestral name KWAST-en-ayu on May 10, 2003 by Tla'amin’s elders immediately before signing of historic Sliammon First Nation - Corporation District of Powell River 'Community Accord'. KWAST-enayu brings clarity from a First Nation perspective using directness and honesty. Be aware that directness, honesty and critical thinking are requisites for true reconciliation. Such directness and honesty come from 27+ years of direct exposure to Canada's Indian Act, Indian Reserve System, Indian Residential School System. Maynard’s brings extensive knowledge and practical experience to any project in the areas of economic/business development, intergovernmental relationship building, leadership/governance & decision-making, Aboriginal rights and title (including consultation) and reconciliation. Maynard understands the Indigenous perspective when business relationships with mainstream business are being pursued. His in-depth knowledge of the history and culture of Aboriginal peoples, their traditional land and resource practices and archaeological footprint comes from years of working closely with traditional land and resource use experts and Elders. Maynard is a guest presenter at Ch'nook Indigenous Business Education (UBC's Sauder School of Business).

Indigenous engagement, technical advisory services, cultural awareness trai

APPROPRIATE USE OF THE TERM 'RECONCILIATION'

INDIGENOUS INSIGHT IS A ABORIGINAL-OWNED COMPANY OPERATING ON TLA'AMIN NATION LANDS

ABOUT KWAST-en-ayu (or Maynard)

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