In June 2021 Josh Detlor, our bright junior facilitator, created an amazing Deep Dive series called “Your ReconciliACTION Journey”. Josh created thought-provoking questions and thoroughly researched talking points. Youth leadership was his utmost priority, and the youth were expected to read out loud, contribute to discussions and complete weekly tasks to deepen their learning. We thank Josh for designing this incredible program, sharing his Haundenosaunee perspectives - and for bringing his Dudah (grandmother) into one of our sessions! 

 

Program Recap
Our Kids Network is working on an Indigenous Reconciliation Plan that will reflect and honour the recommendations of the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report at the local level in Halton. It will provide a transformational approach to introducing and embedding Indigenous world views, values and knowledge within Halton agencies and organizations. This work will be reflected in projects like the Halton Youth Initiative 
Youth will participate in this informative and engaging game to help you and your community learn more about Truth & Reconciliation. 

• Online meet-up on Mondays

• Weekly tasks that require evidence of completion to earn points. More tasks complete = more points!

• Awesome prizes to be won - gift certificates to Oscardo, an online platform that sells Indigenous-made goods

• Google Classroom for tasks and ZOOM for meetings

 

Week One - Introductions and Program overview
 

Week Two - Colonialism

• What is colonialism?

• How does colonialism inflict intergenerational trauma?

• What are some first-hand accounts of colonialism carried out by Canada against Indigneous peoples? The group read first-hand accounts.

• Discussion with Josh’s Dudah (his Grandmother)

 

Week Three - Our environment

• Are we in a climate crisis?

• How does the climate crisis impact Indigenous communities across Canada and globally?

• What is one specific community that will be impacted by global climate change? 

• What’s an example Indigenous environmental principle that could have averted or could help fight climate change?

• How did this look before colonialism? Haudenosaunee society, like every society, is ever-changing and is interpreted differently by each individual. Josh shared his own perspective, as a Haudenosaunee youth. 

 

Week Four - Truth and Reconciliation

• What do Truth and Reconciliation mean?

• Where does Trust fit into this?

• What small actions could you take to add to your TRC trust bank? 

• When everyday people get involved in T&R , what types of actions and impacts may we expect?

• How does this apply to our Canadian Context?

• Has the Canadian government historically recognized the importance of truth and reconciliation?

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Week Five - Truth and Reconciliation Action

• How are people carrying out truth and reconciliation globally?

• How are people forwarding truth and reconciliation in Canada?

• What is one way you can think of that ordinary people can collectively support TRC?

• What is one specific initiative led by our Indigenous brothers, sisters, and non-binary siblings to advance Truth and Reconciliation?

• What can you do to make Truth and Reconciliation a reality? 

 

Week Six - Community Dialogue
We invited community partners to connect with young people in their community to officially take the next necessary steps on their active truth and reconciliation journey. By allowing them to engage with real community leaders, and promote real change in a safe space. This is also a valuable opportunity for guests to gauge youth sentiment within their community or constituency, and to show definitely they are directly addressing TRC-related action items and participating in healing as well as reaching out to and networking with youth in their communities.

We thank Volunteer Waterloo Region, Town of Halton Hills, Town of Milton, Halton District School Board and the Burlington Public Library for their participation in the community dialogue event. 

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Territorial Acknowledgement
Our Kids Network is situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat; now home to many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. We acknowledge the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We also recognize the lasting presence and deep traditional knowledge and viewpoints of the Indigenous people with whom we share this land.