Building a strong community where everyone can thrive means working towards truth and reconciliation, equity, and inclusion in all that we do.
United Way Winnipeg is committed to listening, learning, and challenging ourselves with this essential work.
Since 1965, generous United Way Winnipeg donors have invested in Indigenous-led agency partners. Today, we are one of the top 10 funders of Indigenous-led organizations in Canada. We are building partnerships with Indigenous (First Nation, Inuit, and Metis) individuals and groups across all parts of United Way Winnipeg’s work.
Yet we know there is still much work to be done.
As we continue learning about our shared history, the United Way Winnipeg office will be closed on September 30, 2021, in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
On this important day of remembrance, United Way Winnipeg staff will be pausing for a shared moment of reflection on the intergenerational harms of residential schools.
During Truth and Reconciliation Week (September 27 – October 1), we encourage participation in online learning opportunities hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation along with numerous partners. We’ve also included additional resources as a starting point to guide our ongoing learning.
We encourage all partners, members of the community, and our own staff with a direct connection to residential schools to care for your spirits and connect with those in your circle of support.
Additionally, a national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide 24/7 support for former students of residential schools and those affected. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling 1-866-925-4419.
Truth for reconciliation
With truth comes a heavy heart and a responsibility to learn more and to act.
A vital part of that ongoing journey is reckoning with our past. Reconciliation requires us to acknowledge the harms of Canada’s colonial history and the harms done to Indigenous communities across the country.
We have assembled a starting list of resources for our community to explore as we continue on our learning journey:
Books
- 21 Things You May Not Know about the Indian Act by Bob Joseph
- The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King
- Orange Shirt Day by Phyllis Webstad and Joan Sorley
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports
- Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle
- Children of the Broken Treaty by Charlie Angus
- A Knock on the Door by Phil Fontaine, Aimée Craft, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
- The Reconciliation Manifesto by Arthur Manuel and Grand Chief Ronald Derrickson
- Did You See Us? by Survivors of the Assiniboia Indian Residential School
TV & Films
- The National Film Board has an extensive Indigenous cinema Highlights include The Freedom Road series, nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up, and We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice
- The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)
- The Secret Path documentary includes a panel discussion with Ry Moran, Jesse Wente and Tasha Hubbard.
- Colonization Road
Podcasts
Organizations
The Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba is a wealth of information. In addition to their high-quality Speaker’s Bureau, their website hosts archived public talks as well as past episodes of their radio spots called Let’s Talk Treaty.
Online Courses
- Indigenous Canada from University of Alberta.
- Land Acknowledgement learning series from Can-Solve Network.
Together, let’s keep the conversation going—today, tomorrow, and always.
Topics : Building Knowledge, Indigenous Leadership