Our Commitment To Truth And Reconciliation
Youth in Action wants to see a true reconciliation following the quote of Henry Ford- “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”
Reconciliation is not a task to be completed, it is a vision for a society where past and current injustices are recognized and addressed. The process of reconciliation must entail significant changes in order to offset the history and current reality of racism and colonization in Canada.
Youth in Action firmly upholds the belief that every Canadian has a role to play in the journey towards reconciliation and decolonization. This shared commitment must be deeply rooted in Indigenous experiences and propelled by everyday actions. The realization of reconciliation depends on the active participation of each inhabitant of this land. It’s important to remember that this is not just an Indigenous issue - we are all intertwined in both the problem and its solution.
Youth is Action fully commits its support towards the Calls to Action # 66 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada TRC) – “We call upon the federal government to establish multi-year funding for community-based youth organizations to deliver programs on reconciliation, and establish a national network to share information and best practices”.
Canadian youth harbor varying sentiments about the feasibility of reconciliation. Past unmet government promises and a perceived stagnation in change and action have resulted in feelings of frustration and mistrust. For young people to believe in the possibility of reconciliation, it is imperative that the government consistently takes steps to enhance the living conditions of Indigenous Peoples. The youth are eager to see Canada formulate an action plan that is both quantifiable and pertinent, to ensure accountability of our systems and institutions. The determination of this quantifiability and pertinence should involve the active participation of Indigenous Peoples. We hold the belief that there is still a considerable journey ahead, and it is crucial for all Canadians to understand that reconciliation is an ongoing process and a lifelong learning journey, rather than a task that can be completed.
Land Acknowledgement
Youth in Action’s Board, staff, operations, work, and network depend on traditional Indigenous territories to provide us physical space, sustenance, safety, and community to work, live, and play.
Our physical office is located on the Haldimand Tract, the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations of the Grand River. We offer this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of Canada. We acknowledge that these lands are still home to many diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people.