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To learn more, I refer you to the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Recently, I was asked by the County of Wellington to participate at an event at the Indigenous gathering circle in Fergus and I had the privilege to work alongside some amazing individuals there. The event took place on National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21. I worked alongside someone from a church who wanted to do their part in learning and healing alongside people like myself, a police officer and the mayor of Wellington County.

While we planted sacred medicines such as sweetgrass, tobacco and more, we started talking and that conversation came around to Truth and Reconciliation and what do we do about that moving forward.

There is no shortage of troubled history between Canada and its Indigenous people, and to say it’s complicated is an understatement. I look back on what has happened, and while some progress has been made, it’s not unfair to say that not enough has happened for many Indigenous people.

I talked with my new-found workmates and friends and shared my insight into what I think a future of Truth and Reconciliation looks like and how we get there.

I believe the first step is conversation and listening; I mean really listening with more than just our ears but with our hearts as well.

This sounds easy but isn’t, as listening means that you hear all the grievances and problems, but, on the flip side of that, you hear the hopes, the dreams and the wishes for what can be.

Together, the group of us planted that afternoon and we kept talking and listening to each other. As we talked, I began to open up and shared some of what I want to see in the future in our communities and in each other.

I shared this thought, our past doesn’t have to be our future, we can build something greater together if we’re willing to listen, talk, and work together to build something greater for all of us. I recognize and mourn for all those who have been lost along the way. I know we can do something beautiful for those who have yet to come and work together, so that those walking now can have a hand in something that can last.

One of the members of my group looked at me and said, “You’re unbelievably optimistic about all this, aren’t you?”

I replied, “Yes, I am because, despite everything, I believe in people and I believe in our capacity to do something amazing together.”

I do believe in people, and I do believe in you to make the changes necessary for Truth and Reconciliation to happen.

Yes, there will be those who will resist, there will be those who lose hope and faith in what can be, but I also know that all that it takes is one person to believe and fight for something better.

I know there are great allies out there because I have met you on the street, via email and phone calls.

What does Truth and Reconciliation mean to me?

Hope.

Hope that we can work together to learn from our past, to live in the present to do better and continue learning and, finally, that future is bright for everyone.

Am I naive or stupid for believing in this?

Maybe but I’d rather have hope that tomorrow can be better for all of us.

Mike “O’dah ziibing/Heart of the river” Ashkewe is from Neyaashiinigmiing, Ont. Mike is a disability and Indigenous activist in the city of Guelph. Mike has had a career in the media since 2007 in a variety of different roles such as commentator, reporter and podcaster.