Acts of Reconciliation: Big and Small

Posted on October 1, 2026 by Sunny South News

By Vamini Selvanandan

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the harms caused to Indigenous peoples by the residential school system and to reflect on how we, as ordinary Canadians, can contribute to reconciliation.

In the early years of Confederation, Canadian government policy toward Indigenous peoples was characterized by land dispossession, suppression of Indigenous languages and cultures, and forced assimilation. In more recent years, governments have begun to recognize Indigenous rights, acknowledge the harms caused by colonization, and make amends.

It would be reassuring to think that governments recognized these wrongs on their own. In reality, much of the change came after decades of advocacy by Indigenous leaders and communities, residential school and Sixties Scoop survivors, and repeated court challenges. Even today, Indigenous peoples continue to fight for recognition of land rights, adequate funding for children’s care and education, and fair treatment.

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its report after receiving thousands of statements from residential school survivors, family members, and others affected by the system. Its 94 Calls to Action asked governments, churches, schools, professions, and other institutions to address the ongoing effects of residential schools and colonialism. More than a decade later, many remain unfinished.

But reconciliation is not only the work of governments and institutions. Ordinary citizens have a role too.

Sometimes we may feel unsure about what to do or worried about saying the wrong thing. We may also feel that residential schools and land dispossession happened long ago and have little to do with our lives today. But reconciliation does not require grand gestures. It can begin with small, practical actions.

We can learn about the Indigenous peoples whose traditional lands we live on, their history, culture, and contributions. We can learn about the treaties that shaped much of Alberta and what those treaties promised. We can read books by Indigenous authors, attend public talks or cultural events, support Indigenous businesses and artists, and listen when Indigenous people share their experiences and perspectives.

We can also challenge stereotypes, misinformation, and discriminatory comments when we encounter them in our workplaces, schools, coffee shops, community halls, or around the kitchen table.

As citizens, we can ask our elected representatives what they are doing to advance reconciliation and complete the Calls to Action. We can support fair resolution of land claims and the duty to consult Indigenous communities when decisions are made about land and resources.

Reconciliation also asks us to think about our relationship with the land itself. Many Indigenous worldviews emphasize gratitude, stewardship, and the interconnectedness of people, animals, plants, and the natural world. These are ideas worth considering in rural Alberta, where so much of our lives and livelihoods are tied directly to the land.

Let’s not treat September 30 as simply another day off work. Let’s use it to reflect on both the historical and present-day treatment of Indigenous peoples—and on what each of us can do differently.

Reconciliation is not about feeling guilty or making empty apologies. It requires action, respect, and a willingness to build better relationships. 

It is our work to do.

Vamini Selvanandan is a rural family physician and public health practitioner in Alberta. For more articles like this, visit http://www.engagedcitizen.ca.