Reconciliation

Over the past couple years, we have been working to step into a relationship of reconciliation and reciprocity with our Indigenous neighbours. With the recognition that our organization was formed during colonial times and has undoubtedly caused harm to Indigenous people, we are acknowledging the need to move into a new relationship. Without ignoring or minimizing the harm that has been done, we want to develop a new relationship of respect, reciprocity and reconciliation.

How are we doing that? Carefully and with a humble spirit! We are eager to learn and to promote reconciliation, but we recognize that relationship needs to be at the core of this work in order to build trust and mutual respect.

One of the first initiatives we undertook was to make our property more welcoming to Indigenous people, knowing that our beautiful heritage building has strong visual similarities to residential schools. We commissioned a local artist, Andrea Fritz, to create some welcome banners that line our driveway. They have figures of women, children and local animals, with hands raised in welcome to everyone who enters. We have also commissioned and purchased a variety of artwork from local artists to display in our public places to offer a place of safety and belonging.

While those are fairly easy ways to offer welcome, we are also working to develop and deepen our relationships with local First Nations through attending their events, amplifying their voices on our social media platforms, partnering with them on initiatives (like the Moosehide Campaign) and welcoming Indigenous knowledge keepers and elders into our program spaces to meet with staff and clients.

Maybe you are asking WHY is this important to us? As an organization that values human life and works to serve people who are facing challenges, we recognize that our ability to serve and work with our First Nations neighbours needs to be based in a relationship of care, trust and reciprocity. We have so much to learn from them and a desire to be part of a community that values and partners with them.

Reconciliation has been described as “the truth that I walk in.” The Cridge Centre believes in walking alongside all people with love, mercy and justice. That is the truth that we walk in.