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Vancouver City Council announces the ‘Year of Reconciliation’ – as Reconciliation Canada connects a diversity of cultures and ages to understand one another’s shared histories
Karen Joseph in front and Chief Robert Joseph on the far left.
Vancouver City Council voted this week to proclaim June 21, 2013 – June 20, 2014 the Year of Reconciliation. This is good news for Reconciliation Canada, the year-long campaign working to connect a diversity of cultural, faith-based and multi-generational groups to gain a better understanding of one another’s shared histories. Reconciliation Canada is a charitable collaboration between the Indian Residential School Survivor’s Society (IRSSS) and Tides Canada.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (an outcome of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement) is mandated to inform all Canadians about what happened in Indian Residential Schools, and is touring the country to do so. In tandem, Reconciliation Canada aims to establish a groundswell of Canadians from every level of society who are committed to fostering positive relationships between Aboriginals and other Canadians.
Led by Karen Joseph and her father Chief Robert Joseph, the Reconciliation Canada team is connecting Aboriginal communities with a diversity of cultural, faith-based and multi-generational groups in Canada to gain a better understanding of one another’s shared histories, and promotes physical, psychological and spiritual healing within Aboriginal communities. They are doing this with dialogue circles, Reconciliation Walk Training for Survivors, a canoe gathering in Vancouver, culminating in a BC Place Gala Event on Saturday, September 21, 2013 and a Walk for Reconciliation through the streets of Vancouver.
Announced in a February 27, 2013 motion, City Councillor Andrea Reimer recognized that “Reconciling past injustice, and strengthening shared understanding and awareness of history, is vital to both aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities in building a successful future for Vancouver.”
To join lead donors, including Vancity, in supporting the Reconciliation Canada campaign, please donate now.
