Observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2024

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) will be observed at Western University this year on Monday, September 30.  A campus wide commitment to observing NDTR is essential to ‘advancing reconciliation with Indigenous communities,” as mandated in Towards Western at 150 . 

While NDTR is one day observed annually,  the work of Truth and Reconciliation must be embraced daily to foster meaningful and lasting change. Western has designated September 30 as a non-instructional day, which means no regularly scheduled classes will be held. This will allow everyone within the learning community to engage with targeted events planned for the day led by groups across campus and the London area.

Principles for building allyship with Indigenous people at Western 

Purpose: to provide foundational principles towards building capacity for non-Indigenous staff and faculty to support the ongoing work of Truth and Reconciliation at Western as informed allies.

By acknowledging we are located on Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Lunaape lands connected to Treaties made with the Deshkan Ziibiing Anishinaabek (Chippewas of the Thames First Nation), Western University makes explicit our responsibilities to equity for Indigenous Peoples, Reconciliation, and our ongoing commitment to strengthen and build relationships.

In support of non-Indigenous colleagues activating Western’s Indigenous Strategic Plan (2016) and its institutional strategic plan, Towards Western at 150 (2022) - specifically Theme 2: Advancing Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples - we invited Indigenous faculty, staff, students, and community members to offer input on what Indigenous allyship at Western looks, or should look, like. After reviewing their responses, the themes that emerged correlated strongly with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 2015 report Volume 6, Principles for Reconciliation (p.16).

Our goal is that by providing guidance through Indigenous allyship principles, the broader Western community will grow the capacity for Reconciliation initiatives and deepen their collaboration with Indigenous faculty, staff and students, and local Indigenous organizations and communities.

Not surprisingly, there is a broad range of understanding about our individual roles and collective responsibilities to the work of building Reconciliation and supporting Indigenous initiatives. The more we grow relationships and understanding, the roles and responsibilities of allies will become clear. Sometimes the confusion about how and where to help, or the fear of making a mistake, can become obstacles to meaningful engagement in this work; however, navigating the challenges that come up in good faith is the work of an ally.

Allyship is not a status to be obtained, but an active practice in ongoing relationality which provides a foundation for the work of Reconciliation on an individual and institutional level. While the concept of allyship is rooted in the practices and scholarship of Queer, Black and Indigenous activism, and the intersectionality and interconnected oppressions of these and other equity-seeking groups should not be overlooked. In a Treaty and ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ context, Indigenous allyship is distinct because, as stated in the TRC principles, “First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, as the original peoples of this country and as self-determining peoples, have Treaty, constitutional and human rights that must be recognized and respected” (Vol 6 p.16). Indigenous allyship focuses on relationship building, navigating ethical space, and critical self-reflection. While as individuals we have a lot we can do to learn and unlearn, it is through collective actions that we can change systems.

Looking towards allyship praxis as the basis for the work of Truth and Reconciliation and decolonization, consider the following principles as a starting point for further and ongoing learning and unlearning, and relationship building. A companion explainer for the principles and an accompanying toolkit will be released in early 2025, to support further understanding, learning and unlearning. Currently this explainer is being piloted with allies at Western for feedback. 

Indigenous Initiatives

In addition to regular and ongoing programming, supports, and initiatives provided by OII to further the work of Reconciliation, special Indigenous-led NDTR activities for everyone at Western on September 30 will include: 

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