Reconciliation Canada is incredibly excited to announce that the project Reconciliation in Action: A National Engagement Strategy has received $1.8 million in funding through the Canada 150 Fund. The initiative has been selected as one of a limited number of national, high-impact Canada 150 Pan-Canadian Signature Projects. This funding is an opportunity for Reconciliation Canada to continue engaging all Canadians in the reconciliation process and to envision a new way forward as we move into the next 150 years, together.
“This announcement by the Government of Canada demonstrates shared values and the importance of working together to build a better future for Canada,” says Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, Ambassador, Reconciliation Canada.
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, delivered the announcement at Vancouver International Airport in front of the iconic Spirit of Haida Gwaii, the Jade Canoe sculpture by acclaimed Haida artist Bill Reid.
“The 150th anniversary of Confederation is an excellent opportunity to celebrate all that it means to be Canadian,” says Minister Joly. “Let’s be proud of our diversity; let’s reinforce the relationships that hold us together; and let’s highlight the richness of our common history and our heritage. Together, let’s support the reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples.”
2017 is the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. To mark this milestone, the Government of Canada is supporting organizations, projects and initiatives to engage and inspire Canadians in their communities, as well as create space for all people in Canada to come together to celebrate our shared values, our achievements, our majestic environment and our place in the world. The main themes of the Government of Canada’s vision for the 150th anniversary of Confederation are diversity and inclusion, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, the environment and youth.
The Canada 150 Fund will provide support to several initiatives that are part of the Reconciliation in Action: A National Engagement Strategy, including:
- A National Narrative on Reconciliation online engagement project
- A series of National Reconciliation Gatherings
- National Gathering of Spiritual Leaders and Youth
- A National Narrative on Reconciliation — strategic framework development, analysis and report
- National Thought Table on Reconciliation
- Celebration of Reconciliation in Winnipeg, MB.
“Reconciliation Canada is deeply grateful for the support and is looking forward to engaging Indigenous peoples and all Canadians in national initiatives across the country, which celebrate successes and inspire action on reconciliation,” said Chief Joseph.
We were also delighted that two other projects were also awarded funding and announced as Canada 150 Pan-Canadian Signature Projects. Indspire, an Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people, and the 4Rs Youth Movement, a youth-led initiative seeking to change the country by changing the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people, both received funding.
