Reconciliation is at the heart of National Aboriginal Day, and the Haisla Nation turned the word into action this year through a partnership with the B.C. government, North Growth Foundation, and Reconciliation Canada.

The Haisla Nation has been working with Reconciliation Canada to make reconciliation more tangible to its members and the wider community. One of the results is a booklet – The Meaning of Reconciliation: Haisla Nation History – which documents the experiences and history of the Haisla people and explains how reconciliation can happen.

The booklet was unveiled at an open-house gathering in Kitimat on March 29, 2016, to an audience of Haisla community members, industry leaders, government representatives and members of the public interested in reconciliation.

The gathering and the production of the book were made possible by part of a two-year contribution of $300,000 from the B.C. government to Reconciliation Canada on National Aboriginal Day in 2015.

Quotes:

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation –

“It’s important that reconciliation is more than a word that people use but don’t really understand. To me, it means to be aware, to respect, to acknowledge each other as equals and turn our understanding into action. The Haisla Nation is a leader in many fields and this work to start dialogues about reconciliation is a great example of turning that word into action.”

Ellis Ross, Chief Councillor Haisla Nation –

“Reconciliation is a process. By understanding where we have been in the past, we have the opportunity to move forward together to create a shared future where reconciliation is part of our lives every day.”

Chief Robert Joseph, Reconciliation Canada –

“I applaud the Haisla Nation for their work on sharing their history and nurturing reconciliation through understanding in the wider community. Every act of respect, and every move towards greater awareness and understanding takes us forward towards a better future.”

Quick Facts:

• National Aboriginal Day was first proclaimed by the former governor general of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc on June 13, 1996.
• There are 203 First Nations communities in British Columbia, with 34 languages and 61 dialects, more than any other province in Canada.
• Of the more than 232,000 Aboriginal people in B.C., the 2011 National Household Survey reported that 67% are First Nations, 30% are Métis and just under 1% are Inuit.
• Aboriginal youth are the fastest growing demographic in British Columbia.

Learn More:

The Meaning of Reconciliation-Haisla Nation History: issuu.com/haislanation/docs/haislanationhistorybooklet_final_pa/1?e=23811897/34503970

Haisla Nation: haisla.ca/

Reconciliation Canada: reconciliationcanada.ca/