As I read through the document, it hit me emotionally. Maybe its shame from being a 4th generation English, Irish, Scottish settler in Canada but I think it’s also my empathic personality coming out. I cannot believe the atrocities that this country has done to its Indigenous communities. The Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action incorporate every facet of their lives possible from taking away their culture and children to how the justice system treats them. We see people wondering why this is so important to the country but with some knowledge and education on the matter, it becomes very clear why the Government of Canada needs to take this document seriously. Apologizing is a small stick in the huge hay bail of harm that has been done over several generations and we need to do better. In terms of educating Indigenous youth in our classrooms, it is important for them to see their culture incorporated within the classroom. It’s important for all children to see themselves up on the walls, in the language, in the subjects, and be an active member of the classroom community. As educators, we need to be supportive, calm, patient, understanding, knowledgeable, and all inclusive. Our students deserve that.
