Sioux Lookout Mayor Doug Lawrance/YouTube Screenshot
Municipalities across the region have started taking the first steps towards reconciliation with various changes.
One is Land Acknowledgment declarations before public meetings.
Sioux Lookout Mayor Doug Lawrance says making such an acknowledgment is a very small step on a very long path of reconciliation.
“One hundred and fifty years of Residential School history. Indeed, over 400 years of colonialism, will not be addressed by a simple acknowledgment by a short few years, by a few actions.”
Lawrance adds, “To make meaningful change we must begin with acknowledgment, with awareness, with education. To make meaningful change we must understand that it will take many years, many actions, both large and small. Meaningful change will come with a continuing commitment and that commitment must come from each and every one of us as well as from every level of government.”
Thursday is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Lawrance is asking everyone to get out and take part in community events.
