This may be a controversial answer, therefore I am not speaking on behalf of my community, I am only speaking for myself when I say this: I believe that reconciliation has to happen on both ends. I believe that non-Indigenous people have a role in this just as much as my fellow Indigenous kin. The Indian residential school system was forced upon us, it is not our fault. But now it is in our power to heal ourselves.
The weight of residential school and everything it has taken from myself, my family, and community is heavy. It is something I don't want to carry forever. It is something I want to let go of but healing and forgiveness takes time. And I am not quite there yet. I have never seen forgiveness like I have from my father. I believe if my father can forgive the priests and nuns that harmed him and his siblings in residential school, anyone has the power to forgive. I believe forgiveness is freedom and it releases our attachment to the pain from the past. I owe it to myself to forgive so I can heal, let go of that weight, and set out to do what I was meant to do on this earth.
I think doing exactly as they are in this moment — reading this article is a really great start! As well as listening to the true wishes of the Indigenous community, educating themselves , supporting Indigenous artists and Indigenous owned businesses, and elevating Indigenous voices. Wearing orange on September 30 is a really easy way to show up in support of all the Indian residential school Survivors and anyone affected by the system. Also,