My Reflections on Reconciliation

Throughout my time being a Grade 11 student in the Indigenous Literacy Course, I have learned a great deal about reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

I had the privilege to discuss and read Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga; a piece of journalism written about the seven Indigenous students who had passed away in Thunder Bay. The whole book was eye-opening. It taught me things that I would've never learnt otherwise. As an example, I learned that Indigenous students today in Thunder Bay get 2000-3000 dollars less than non-Indigenous students in Canada. Learning about information like this and about the lives of these seven students was saddening and frustrating. I strongly suggest this book for not only a classroom, but also to the people willing to learn about these students; Jethro Anderson, Curran Strang, Paul Panacheese, Robyn Harper, Reggie Bushie, Kyle Morrisseau, and Jordan Wabasse.

Reconciliation is an ongoing commitment. Something that we, as a community, or even as a country, need to work on together. Renaming our street is just the first step of many.