The offices of the Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) will be closed on Wednesday, June 21, in honour and recognition of National Aboriginal Day.
“We have described for you a mountain. We have shown you the path to the top. We call upon you to do the climbing.”
Justice Murray Sinclair’s words on the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report resonate deeply for ISAC. We are committed to achieving a just and inclusive society that honours the contributions of all communities and encourages active civic engagement.
For this reason, we are closing our doors on National Aboriginal Day, June 21, and our staff will be participating in reconciliation activities that celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. ISAC is fully committed to listening to, working with and supporting Indigenous communities on the journey to Reconciliation.
We acknowledge that the land on which we work and live has been the home to Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial, and we recognize the enduring presence of Indigenous Peoples on this land. We are grateful to have the opportunity to be here as guests, and to have the opportunity to work in the community, and on this territory.
- Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action: http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
The Aboriginal Justice Strategy lead at Legal Aid Ontario has created a list of ideas for how each of us can personally work to contribute to the Calls to Action. Please read these ideas, consider what your contribution can be, and take action:
- Commit to host a Reconciliation Dialogue within your family, work place or community. A guide to facilitate this can be found here: http://reconciliationcanada.ca/staging/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/KTD-Guide_dec2016.pdf
- Commit to attend a cultural event, training session, or learning opportunity with your local Indigenous community
- Advocate for fair and equitable services for First Nations children. Resources to help you with this can be found here: https://fncaringsociety.com/i-am-witness and here https://fncaringsociety.com/7-free-ways-make-difference
- Volunteer your time and/or services to a local Indigenous community event
- Organize a book club with a truth and reconciliation theme. Select books that educate and inform members about the Residential School system as well as create a dialogue for reconciliation. Ideas can be found here: http://www.cbc.ca/books/2016/10/a-reconciliation-reading-list-15-must-read-books.html
- Commit to educating a friend or family member who is resistant to understanding
- Host a documentary screening on Indigenous issues, such as:
- Colonization Road http://www.cbc.ca/firsthand/episodes/colonization-road
- 8th Fire http://www.cbc.ca/8thfire//2011/11/tv-series-8th-fire.html
- Available on Netflix: Highway of Tears, We Were Children
- Fifth Estate: http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/episodes/
- Provide a donation to an organization such as Canadian Roots Exchange http://canadianroots.ca/home/about-cre/
- Visit Reconciliation Begins with Me: http://reconciliationcanada.ca/reconciliation-begins-with-me/featured-stories/
- Visit I Am Committed: http://iamcommitted.ca.