LISTENING TO INDIGENOUS VOICES

"Together, Canadians must do more than just talk about reconciliation; we must learn how to practise reconciliation in our everyday lives -- within ourselves and our families, and in our communities, governments, places of worship, schools, and workplaces. To do so constructively, Canadians must remain committed to the ongoing work of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships."
— The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (Final Report, Volume I)

Form a Group

The guide is a self-contained kit to engage with others on themes related to justice, reconciliation, right relationships, and decolonization with Indigenous Peoples. It is intended to stimulate dialogue and reflection in small groups and classrooms.

Groups of 8-12 (or even 5-7 if using online) are an ideal size for the sharing circle process. If you can, make your group as diverse as possible, including Newcomers, Settlers, and Indigenous persons.

​Groups could form in schools, organizations, communities,  workplaces, or wherever people gather.

 

Get the Guide



Gather Together

Before beginning the first session, gather the group together to explain the process and begin to get to know each other using the following questions:


1. Introduce yourself, placing more emphasis on your personal story rather than what you do. 
2. In whose traditional territory did your grandmother or grandfather (choose one) live? How did they come to be there? What is your own relationship to that territory today?
3. Why are you interested in this process? What brings you here? What do you hope to learn? 
4. What does reconciliation mean for you?

The Sharing Circle

The guide process uses a sharing circle to engage in dialogue & reflection:

  • Read the guide before each session. 
  • Begin each session with a land acknowledgement.
  • In live gatherings, sit in a circle and speak going around the circle.
  • Online, have a defined order of speaking. Each person shares for 2-3 minutes on each chosen question.
  • Ensure that the circle a safe space for sharing based on mutual respect and deep listening.
  • Each session suggests several questions. Begin with the first one and then choose several more depending on the time available. 
  • Make sure everyone has a chance to speak (or pass) in each go-round.

​​​      Sign up to become a facilitator

 

Local Indigenous Resources

The guide  is intended to deepen the process of reflection that many groups have begun using the KAIROS Blanket Exercise. If your group has not yet done this exercise, please do so before Session Two.

Developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and educators, the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) is an interactive and experiential teaching tool that explores the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the land we now know as Canada. ​During a 2-3 hour workshop, participants step on blankets representing the land and into the role of Indigenous Peoples.
► Find out more or book a session here

Classroom Connections

Each session includes suggestions for
activities that can be used in a classroom setting.appropriate for high school or post-secondary settings. Non-school groups may find these activities helpful if they are looking for ideas for further engagement.

Spiritual Reflections

We also provide reflections from a variety of spiritual and ethical traditions online that can be used in faith communities and spirituality groups. We also welcome additional contributions.​ Please send us suggestions or reflections to contact@ltiv.ca.

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