Truth and Reconciliation Through the Sharing of Stories

As a young girl growing up in Saskatoon, I was unaware that some of my school friends were of aboriginal descent. The first time I became aware of indigenous issues was at the University of Saskatchewan when by chance I registered for a Native Studies class. It was an introductory class that included a brief history of the Indian Act. Two pieces of information have stayed with me from that class - the first is how the definition of who was an Indian and who wasn’t could be changed from time to time which seemed ridiculous to me and the second was a story the professor told about how indigenous people found it strange that the first white people they encountered would blow their nose into a piece of cloth and then wrap it up carefully and put it in their pocket. Stories tend to stay with you once you have heard them, especially funny ones or stories that convey an important lesson. The story that I remember from class stays with me because it points to a fact that has been reinforced time and time again - all human development occurs within a cultural context - our values, beliefs and ways of life, in other words, our Living Heritage are shaped by our parents, our grandparents, friends, neighbours, teachers, coaches and so on. The cultural context that shapes each of us also depends on where and when you are born. We inherit more than our DNA; nature and nurture combine to influence and shape the person we become. This is true for all human beings (it is how our brains are wired to process information and make sense of our experiences as we navigate our way in the world).

It is especially significant then, traumatic in fact, when your cultural context is denigrated and/or destroyed. The issues we face today as communities and as a country, with regards to Indigenous people are the direct result of culture denied. The first step to solving any problem is to acknowledge and understand how we have come to be in this situation in the first place. There is no going back, and we can’t change the past, but we can change where we stand when we view the past. The cultural lens we use to interpret and understand the world we live in is constantly changing and we now live in a pluralistic world, so it is imperative that we learn how to live together in peaceful and sustainable ways. The truth of what happened in the past must be made known, painful as it is, (the truth often hurts) before we can move forward and participate in the negotiation of a shared future.

Once a story is shared both the teller and the listener are changed. Stories lead us to greater understanding, empathy and compassion for others if we are willing to listen and learn from the experience. Register today for this special event:

 Truth and Reconciliation Through the Sharing of Stories

Friday, April 29, 2016 - Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Regina, SK

at: www.schoolofpublicpolicy.ca

(please select “News and Events”, followed by “Upcoming Events” and the appropriate date). There is no cost to attend, but seating is limited.