Barriers to Bridges: The Journey of Truth & Reconciliation
Haida Gwaii forest - photo credit Canva
In our changing world, healing is more than a destination—it's a profound, sometimes emotional journey. It's a path marked by historical wounds, injustices, and divisions that continue to cast shadows over our lives. "Small steps towards healing" are like conscious, courageous actions, slowly paving the way for change. Healing isn't instant; it's a process. We must confront a hidden history, a shared past kept from many Canadian citizens. We unravel this hidden history, unlearn the minimal Canadian history we've been taught, and open our hearts to learning the concealed truths and historical events.
But how can we navigate this path, especially when it involves the complex tapestry of cultures and the quest for authenticity in our Truth and Reconciliation journey? The answer lies in a cultural ambassador. They are an authentic guide to Truth and Reconciliation and Indigenous culture, bridging divides, eliminating barriers, and celebrating diversity.
Small Steps Towards Healing:
This healing journey depends on the small, steady steps we take. It's understanding that change happens gradually, through purposeful efforts. These efforts are conscious, courageous steps, a call to face our past and repair our present. Truth and Reconciliation is one such journey, urging us to unearth a hidden collective history kept from Canadians. We must unlearn the limited Canadian history of colonization we've been taught and embrace the concealed truths that have shaped our nation.
Eliminating Divisions and Celebrating Differences:
Cultural ambassadors transcend mere community-building. They see barriers within our organizations and society, like the hurdles of perspective and privilege. Perspective becomes a barrier when we view diversity as a challenge rather than an asset, and privilege can build walls when it leads to unequal opportunities.
As a Cultural Ambassador, my mission is to break down these barriers. By offering cultural resources, education, and support, I aim to shift perspectives on inclusion and equity. Two powerful steps towards this transformation include:
Perspective Transformation: We can change our perspective by seeing diversity as an opportunity, not a challenge. This shift allows us to appreciate the strength in diversity, recognizing it as an asset that fuels creativity and innovation.
Privilege as a Bridge: Privilege, when acknowledged and used for good, becomes a bridge to equity. We can use our privilege to open doors for those who have been marginalized historically, promoting fairness and equality within our organizations.
In the Truth and Reconciliation journey, a Cultural Ambassador's role is to help us appreciate the richness in diversity, knowing that our differences make us stronger. It's a call to action for all of us to turn barriers into bridges and build a more inclusive and equitable world.
The saying, "Small steps are needed on long healing journeys; Truth & Reconciliation is one of those journeys," reminds us that healing isn't quick or easy. It inspires us to take these small, conscious, and courageous steps toward creating a fairer, more harmonious world. Whether it's in the context of Truth and Reconciliation, the vital role of cultural ambassadors, or the celebration of our unique cultures, every small step we take contributes to a brighter, more inclusive future.
But this journey is far from over. Truth and Reconciliation consists of 94 calls to action, each a potential step towards healing and unity. It's time for all of us to stand together and answer these calls, making a powerful impact on our country's future.
Join us in this mission, and together, we'll pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive Canada. Let's unite, answer the calls, and heal our nation's wounds with courage and compassion.
To review the 94 calls to action, check out this page ‘over der.’
