Colonization is not a thing of the past; it continues to shape the lives of Indigenous peoples across Canada every day. One of the most profound ways it does so is through intergenerational trauma, a term that refers to the psychological and emotional effects of traumatic events that are passed down from one generation to the next. From this to systemic inequities in healthcare, education, justice, and access to community resources, its impacts are ongoing and intersectional.
For settlers, engaging with Truth and Reconciliation is not just about wearing an orange shirt once a year. It is a profound responsibility: to learn, unlearn, and act; to recognize your privilege; and to support Indigenous sovereignty, culture, and communities in ways guided by those most affected.
Pause & Reflect
Take time to reflect with these questions. They are meant to center Indigenous voices, highlight intersectional impacts, and guide your ongoing commitment to action:
- What are the names by which September 30 is known in Canada?
- What does UNDRIP stand for, and what is Canada’s relationship to it?
- What do Articles #2 and #26 of UNDRIP say about Indigenous rights, self-determination, and education?
- When did the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada issue its Calls to Action, and how many are there in total?
- What is Section 92 of the Calls to Action about, and how does it relate to employment and workplace inclusion?
- Whose life experience inspired Orange Shirt Day, and how does it connect to intergenerational trauma?
- Which residential school operated closest to your home, workplace, or community space, and when?
- On whose traditional and unceded territory do you live, learn, and work?
- How can you engage respectfully with the land beyond simply acknowledging it?
- How does colonization show up in your daily life, workplace, or systems you navigate?
- What privileges do you hold as a settler, and how can you use them to support Indigenous communities, including people with disabilities?
- How are Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions being supported—or erased—in your community?
- How can you contribute to Indigenous-led initiatives without appropriating or taking over?
- How has the residential school system impacted local Indigenous communities and survivors, including those with intersecting disabilities or neurodivergence?
- What concrete actions can you take to honour Indigenous sovereignty, the inherent right of Indigenous peoples to govern themselves and their lands, self-determination, the right to make decisions about their own future, and accessibility, the principle that all individuals should have equal access to resources and opportunities?
- How will you commit to the ongoing process of learning and unlearning, rather than limiting your engagement to a single day?
Resources to Support Your Learning
- ReconciliACTION Plans & #94in94 Campaign – National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- How to Create a ReconciliACTION Plan Webinar – Watch here
- CBC’s Beyond 94 – Explore here
- CBC’s interactive map of residential schools – View map
- Podcasts & Films:
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- Stolen: Surviving St. Michael’s – Spotify
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- CharityVillage Connects – Listen here
- NFB Indigenous-made films — Explore here
- Indigenous Cultures:
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- Indigenous Action Committee (York Region) – Facebook
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- Isadore Toulouse, Anishnaabemowin teacher – YouTube
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- 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations – Website
- Orange Shirt Day — orangeshirtday.org
- Government of Canada: UNDRIP overview — justice.gc.ca
- Full UNDRIP text — UN PDF
- TRC Calls to Action — Download PDF
- CharityVillage: 16 Resources for Settlers — Read here
- Toronto Public Library: Indigenous must-read books — Library list
- Truth and Reconciliation Week programming — NCTR
- Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre: Truth and Reconciliation resources — Website
Settler Action Tip
Truth and Reconciliation is not a one-day activity. Use these questions and resources to guide daily reflection, accountability, and action. Center Indigenous voices, amplify marginalized perspectives, and think about accessibility and inclusion for everyone, including disabled Indigenous and neurodivergent people.
Every small step, from learning a phrase in an Indigenous language to supporting Indigenous creators and challenging systemic inequities, builds toward meaningful change.