Reconciliation means establishing, maintaining mutually respectful relationship between aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples: TRC final report – Hill Times
December 15, 2015
To some people, “reconciliation” is the re-establishment of a conciliatory state. However, this is a state that many aboriginal people assert has never existed between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people. To others, “reconciliation,” in the context of Indian residential schools, is similar to dealing with a situation of family violence. It is about coming to terms with events of the past in a manner that overcomes conflict and establishes a respectful and healthy relationship among people going forward. It is in the latter context that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) has approached the question of reconciliation.
To the commission, “reconciliation” is about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples in this country. For that to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour.
