Background
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was created by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Over six years the Commission traveled the country and heard from Aboriginal people the impact Residential schools had on their lives and their communities. The Commission culminated its efforts with a report outlining 94 calls to action. This document outlines the commitments of the Nanaimo Child Development Centre in working towards reconciliation.
We acknowledge and honor the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as, and Stzuminus people, upon whose ancestral lands we live, work, and gather.
We recognize the enduring connection that Indigenous peoples have to this land and express our gratitude for their stewardship over generations.
The NCDC recognizes that Residential Schools and other acts of colonization have resulted in broad inequities for Indigenous people in Canada, and that these inequities create significant and unique barriers for Indigenous children, families and community trying to access services. As a multi-faceted agency advocating for services which are inclusive and accessible to all community members, the NCDC acknowledges it has a responsibility to work towards reconciliation with the Indigenous community.
We would like to gratefully recognize and acknowledge that we live, learn, and work, on the unceded territories of the Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as, and Stzuminus people. We also acknowledge the ancestral and continued connection to this land of the Métis Nation.
The NCDC recognizes that Residential Schools and other acts of colonization have resulted in broad inequities for Indigenous people in Canada, and that these inequities create significant and unique barriers for Indigenous children, families and community trying to access services. As a multi-faceted agency advocating for services which are inclusive and accessible to all community members, the NCDC acknowledges it has a responsibility to work towards reconciliation with the Indigenous community.
NCDC Commitments
- As a Society we will make land acknowledgements at all NCDC meetings and hosted events
- We will continue to build relationships with organizations and associations that focus on Indigenous populations, and harness these relationships to assist NCDC, staff and Society members in working towards reconciliation
- We will provide continuing education opportunities that focus on cultural safety and reconciliation and develop culturally appropriate programs and services
- We will incorporate a focus on cultural safety and reconciliation into the Society’s Strategic Plan, policies, and practice
- We will continue to build respectful relationships with, and learn from our Indigenous colleagues, teachers, and clients
- We will share resources with staff and Board with a focus on reconciliation (e.g., statement of reconciliation and reconciliation plans, strategic plan, land acknowledgements, relationships with Indigenous communities)