18 - Participate in, or Organize, a Walk For Reconciliation
MACK MALE, "TRC WALK OF RECONCILIATION" ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE (CC BY-SA 2.0) HTTPS://FLIC.KR/P/MBXLXQ
This series of blog posts is inspired by the list 21 Things You Can Do to Change the World created by Bob Joseph in his book 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act. Focusing on actionable steps, these blog posts will take each step and provide links, contacts, and suggestion lists.
Scroll through our recent 21 Things posts here.
The next action we are highlighting is: Participate in, or Organize, a Walk for Reconciliation
Walks for Reconciliation are events that take place throughout Canada. They aim to build solidarity among it’s participants, in order to foster better, more meaningful relationships between Indigenous populations, and other Canadians.
Vancouver’s first walk was held on September 22nd, 2013, bringing together many prominent figures, including Dr. Bernice King, Shawn Atleo, the then National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in Canada, and the then Mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robinson. This first walk paved the way for the others that came after it. The walk featured a number of notables performances, including a speech by Dr. King, and a gilskamlił, a traditional ceremony that was historically performed during the potlatch. The gilskamlił is a sharing of both the spirit, and of the community, a perfect fit for the ideals and themes of the Walk for Reconciliation.
In addition to events held in September in conjunction with the annual Truth and Reconciliation Day, In February, marches are held to remember the many missing and murdered Indigenous Women and highlight the disproportionate high rates of assault and fatal violence they face in their lives. February 14th is the day that vigils and marches are held to remember and honour these victims of institutional violence in Canada.
Below you can find walks you can participate in:
Britannia Services Centre – Located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, this is one of the Lower Mainland’s largest Truth and Reconciliation events. It is attended by members of the large Urban Indigenous community and includes a walk, speeches, and activities. Keep an eye on their event’s calendar for the next walk.
UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre – On September 30th, UBC cancels classes and holds an Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day at its recently-opened History and Dialogue Centre. Members of the UBC community, families, and those in solidarity are welcome to join and participate. Events include performances, ceremonies, and a walk through campus to the Reconciliation Pole, which replaced the flag of British Columbia in 2016. Keep an eye on their event’s calendar for the event.
Trout Lake Community Centre – Also in Vancouver, join the Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society to honour the lost children and survivors of the Residential School system. Held at John Hendry Park (popularly known as Trout Lake Park), this ceremony is an afternoon-long event of stories, drumming, songs, and memory. Keep an eye on their calendar for their next event.
Port Moody Museum – Closer to Coquitlam, in Port Moody, the Port Moody Station Museum holds an annual Indigenous film festival to tell and honour stories of Indigenous resilience, resistance, and perseverance. There is also an opportunity to pledge an Act of Reconciliation at the event. Visit the website below to find out more.
Tsleil-Waututh Pilgrimage to Commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – The Tsleil-Waututh Nation of North Vancouver holds an annual 8.5 km-long pilgrimage from the former site of St. Paul’s Residential School in North Vancouver along the Dollarton Highway to the current Tsleil-Waututh Reserve. Along the way, members of the nation and those in solidarity carry signage and tell stories to acknowledge Residential School survivors, victims, and ancestors. It is one of the longest and largest annual Truth and Reconciliation events.
Planning your own Walk for Reconciliation
A Walk for Reconciliation does not necessarily have to be a large event. You can do one with a smaller group of friends and family, or other community group. Below are some ideas for stops to make and plan along your own Walk for Reconciliation, as well as some resources that can help to facilitate a discussion to take place during your walk.
On your personal Walk for Reconciliation, you might want to seek out Indigenous art galleries or Museums. Stopping to visit one of these places on your walk is an excellent idea if you desire a curated experience. A few examples are listed below.
You might also want to time your walk to begin or end with a talk by an Indigenous speaker, or another Indigenous organized event in the Lower Mainland. There are a wide variety of Indigenous evens and speakers across the lower mainland. It doesn’t take long to find one in your area at a time that is convenient to you. A few examples are listed below.
Events in BC | Indigenous Tourism BC (indigenousbc.com) – A constantly updated listing of events to commemorate and celebrate Indigenous culture in BC, check back here for plenty of new and interesting events that are ongoing.
Sacred Journey - Science World – An event that discusses the history and culture behind canoe culture of the Northwest Indigenous groups.
It is a good idea to plan your journey to try and visit a few of the many cultural and art exhibits across BC or Vancouver. There are a wide variety of Indigenous created art installations available, perhaps you already have a favourite that you like to visit to reflect, or perhaps you might find a new one that you’d like to visit. The interactive map below features options to search for these installations across BC, among other features.
During your walk, and as you experience some of the exhibits, speakers, or locations you have chosen, take time to reflect, and discuss with your group on actionable steps you will take to help work towards reconciliation. If you would like some ideas for steps you can take, you can always check out other blogs in this series. For instance, you could stop at an indigenous owned restaurant on your walk.
If you would like to read further, below are a list of resources to consult in order to learn more about Reconciliation, and what you can do.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada | The Canadian Encyclopedia
KUU-US Crisis Line Society BC Wide Indigenous Toll-Free Crisis and Support Line | Toll Free: 1-800-588-8717
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line | Toll Free: 1-866-925-4419
These blog posts are designed to be a starting point to help people throughout our community of Coquitlam toward the path of reconciliation and allyship. We encourage everyone to do their own reading and research. Want to learn more? Check out the Indigenous Relations Academy, which has books, training, and resources. You can also purchase 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act here.