As the Executive Director of RAVEN, every year when we approach the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I ponder reconciliation. Reconciliation is defined as “the restoration of friendly relations.” This makes me think of the deep and complex history between Indigenous Peoples and Canada that has shaped and continues to affect our present relationship with each other. There were moments of friendships in the past, but those moments are far outweighed by acts of oppression, marginalization, and colonization.
For many, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation brings a range of emotions, such as grief, anger, hope, and determination. For me, I hold in my heart the over 150,000 Indigenous children who were forced into residential schools and stripped of their culture, language, and families. Thousands of children never returned home. It’s a painful history, but one we must confront and acknowledge, not only as Indigenous people but across settler-Indigenous relationships, if Canada truly wants to be a nation committed to reconciliation.
However, this day is not only about remembering the trauma and loss caused by the residential school system but also about acknowledging the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples and communities across this land.
Why the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Matters to RAVEN
For me, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is deeply personal. I have immediate family that are survivors of residential school and they are my inspiration to be a part of the RAVEN team. As a fundraising nonprofit, our work is to help Indigenous communities restore and right the scales after hundreds of years of colonial injustices. While the impact of the residential school system has left a legacy of intergenerational trauma, it also seeded resilience and strength amongst the survivors. Guided by the strength and wisdom of my ancestors, I am proud to work alongside a dedicated and passionate team at RAVEN that believes in the mission of our organization.
Truth and reconciliation is an ongoing journey. It’s about transforming words into meaningful actions. For RAVEN employees, it includes reading, understanding, and discussing together all of the Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Over the past several months, in our weekly team meetings, we have been reading and discussing one or two of the Calls to Action. For RAVEN, it means fundraising for Indigenous communities seeking environmental justice and land/title rights as the rightful guardians of such territories. It means advocating for equitable access to justice so that the systemic barriers faced by Indigenous communities are dismantled.
Honoring Survivors and Supporting Healing
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is about the survivors—those who endured the horrors of residential schools, and those who carry that trauma within their families and communities. As an Indigenous-led organization, we are committed to supporting Indigenous communities by alleviating the financial burdens of hefty legal expenses. Legal expenses that are a direct result of Indigenous communities seeking to redress the failed promises of friendship that were discussed centuries ago.
Through our work, we aim to support survivors so that their environmental justice is a benefit to all residents of this land. We believe that by supporting these efforts, we are helping to address the intergenerational impacts of residential schools while also uplifting the current and future generations of all our communities.
Engaging Allies in Restoring Friendly Relations
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is for all residents of this land we call Canada. Reconciliation requires the active involvement of allies—those who are committed to learning, understanding, and taking action. As a nonprofit, we are always looking for ways to engage non-Indigenous supporters in this journey. One measure our donors can undertake is to understand why Indigenous communities are going to court for environmental justice and land/title rights. I encourage all our RAVEN community members to take Home on Native Land as a first step in relearning the truths of colonial histories.
Engaging our RAVEN donors is not just about asking for financial support, but also about fostering genuine partnerships built on respect and a commitment to equity. Allies can play a key role in amplifying Indigenous voices, advocating for policy changes, and supporting Indigenous-led initiatives that address the needs of Indigenous communities. All these are acts of friendship that advance reconciliation with our Indigenous communities.
A Call to Action
As we observe this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I encourage everyone—Indigenous and non-Indigenous—to take time to reflect on the truth of our shared history and consider what reconciliation looks like in your own life. For our part, we will continue working tirelessly to raise the funds and resources necessary to support Indigenous environmental justice. We invite you to join us in this journey by attending local events hosted by Indigenous communities, learn about the complex history of Indigenous peoples of the territory that you reside, dive deep into the campaigns RAVEN supports and the importance of these legal cases, raise your voice to advocate for Indigenous environmental justice, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities.
While we have started this journey together with our Indigenous communities, there is still so much work to be done. The path ahead may be long, but I am optimistic of a future rooted in respect, understanding, and friendship.
In solidarity,
Danielle Wilson
Executive Director, RAVEN
