The Belleville Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee is encouraging residents take the personal pledge of reconciliation written by Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.
The committee met June 17 to discuss the city’s Canada Day plans in light of the discovery of what are believed to be the bodies of 215 Indigenous children buried in a mass grave at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.
That number has since risen with the discoveries of similar mass graves in other provinces.
The committee elected not to recommend any changes to the plans for the day.
It was also decided that future events would involve closer consultation with Indigenous communities and a possible event on September 30, National Truth and Reconciliation Day.
The pledge includes eight commitments “in the spirit of reconciliation”:
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Learn more about Indigenous Peoples and issues.
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Continue to look forward to positive change for the situation with Indigenous Peoples.
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Find ways to address the Indigenous-related myths and misconceptions with my fellow Canadians.
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Not perpetuate stereotypes in my conversations or observations.
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Encourage others around me to keep reconciliation an ongoing effort.
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Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 calls to action.
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Read the 231 calls to action in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
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Actively encourage ongoing support of National Indigenous Peoples Day every June 21st for myself, my family, and my community.
Click here to see the pledge.
