Photo: Chief Vern Janvier, Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation. Photo by Joey Podlubny

The Four Directions of Reconciliation

How do we reconcile what happened to First Nations people? Where do we start as colonial decendants to rebuild a proper and respectful relationship? We as Canadian’s have a duty as members of the signed Treaties to respond to calls from North America’s first inhabitants. Canada has spent the better part of it’s existence trying to assimilate, trying to control and eliminate First Nations people. Today we are all tasked with reconciliation. To venture inward and participate in questioning our beliefs, our motives, and the balance that exsists.  And to venture outward to expereince the culture and beleifs of our neighbours.Although the encouragement is meant for eveyone to go out and expereience it for themselves I’ve attempted to document and present my journey so that others can see that it is in fact possible, that it is in fact benficial, and to ensure the pathway will always be there to go down. The future is not more division, the future is not reliant on hate or fear. We are creating a new future that leads with repsect, love and honours the agreements with Mother Earth and with eachother.​ What has been left out of the conversation for so long that we are still struggling today to find balance and respect for each other? I have been on a personal journey to try and understand why. These images, stories and quotes are meant to help create a window for you to look through to witness the path of reconcilation  I went down. They are meant to honour the truth, and help illuminate an inward path towards reconciliation.