Aaniin! Boozhoo!
As most of you know, the 30th of September each year is National Day of Truth and Reconciliation or Orange Shirt Day. The day is used every year to commemorate survivors of residential schools, as well as push for change in the form of allyship and reconciliation between settlers and Indigenous Peoples. But- reconciliation doesn’t begin and end on September 30th. It is something that is a continuous process, every day, for people inhabiting Turtle Island.
This month, Doula Canada is releasing our Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan Draft for students and alumni to check out! Based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action, our reconciliation plan for 2023 reflects the goals outlined in the recommendations by the commission. You can see the action plan here below.
What does this mean? It means that these four recommendations are what we are working toward in 2023. As we continue our journeys as a vocational school, we will continue to evaluate how we can incorporate more of these goals into our curriculum, programming, and overall community at Doula Canada.
It doesn’t end here. We want to hear from you! An anonymous feedback form for both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous members is available using This Link. (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczDwoD1ZmkYI501_8Xv8JaeOkhkEEsQq_rM4K_AywfuUu8Jg/viewform?usp=sf_link)
There will also be a two-hour Indigenous-specific focus group in November led by Inclusion and Engagement Lead for Indigenous Peoples, Kayt Ward. Honorariums will be provided to participants. Please stay tuned for dates and times or email Kayt at kayt@doulatraining.ca if you’re interested in participating.
September 30th- How are you reflecting? Staff at Doula Canada will be participating in various learning experiences throughout the day, and we recommend students do the same. Don’t know where to start? Follow our social media to register for events we will be promoting by external organizations, come to one of the following events, or try a journal prompt.
- Indigenous members pop up Bannock and Tea circle. Topic: Peer Support and Grief. September 30th, from 6-7 pm EST on Zoom.
- “We Were Children” Film Night and Settler Learning Circle. September 30th from 7-8 pm EST on Zoom.
Journal Prompts:
What can we do as educators and birth workers to decolonize and deconstruct power systems in Canada? How can we dismantle oppression, and create a safe and equitable space for all?
What is my relationship with the land I reside on. Whose land am I standing on?
How can I participate in decolonization and the Landback movement?
How does settler-colonialism impact my life?
Chi Miigwetch,
Kayt Ward, Inclusion and Engagement Lead for Indigenous Peoples
