The sun may be shining in Vancouver today, but my mind is drawn back to a much stormier day three years ago. On this day in 2013, the rain poured down in Vancouver and a sea of umbrellas filled the downtown streets, as thousands of people walked for reconciliation in Canada. When Reconciliation Canada was founded in 2012, we set out to bring together 50,000 people to join us for Canada’s first ever Walk for Reconciliation. On September 22, 2013, 70,000 people joined us for the Walk for Reconciliation, demonstrating the insatiable desire for renewed and revitalized relationships held by so many people in Canada.
Since that day, we have witnessed a shift in the consciousness of Canadian society. The legacy of the Indian Residential School system is now understood by more people in Canada than ever before. However, there is still work to be done. Reconciliation Canada has launched Reconciliation in Action: A National Engagement Strategy, a two-year initiative designed to examine and document perceptions, actions and aspirations of Canadians in relation to reconciliation. This narrative will recognize our common history, highlight current achievements and create hope for the next 150 years. We are humbled by the opportunity to continue to engage all people in Canada in the reconciliation process, and we have several exciting initiatives planned to mark Canada’s 150th in 2017. Stay tuned for more information on how you can get involved!
We would like to extend our gratitude to all of the partners and supporters who made the Walk for Reconciliation in 2013 possible. Most of all, we would like to thank everyone who joined us on that day. Each one of you helped carry the voice of reconciliation into communities across Canada, and continues to make change in the lives of people across the country.
Gilakasla.
