Today is National Truth and Reconciliation Day. I would like to share Murray Sinclair's recognition of the survivors whose work and dedication have woven accountability into this nation's framework: “Survivors lead us to this moment of the journey of truth and reconciliation when they are on their personal journeys of healing. And as they continue to seek justice for the things that took place at the hands of the church, the government, and other actors…their steadfast commitment to giving light to the truth.”
Today, in Toronto, I will attend the opening of the Spirit Garden. It is an acknowledgement of art and place. I hope that you are also able to spend time reflecting upon land, place, history, and truth today.
Some films that consider place, and also raise questions you can be asking about the places that you are tuning in from:
- Films and documentaries that reflect on the residential school experience. There is an important collection of films made by Indigenous artists at the National Film Board of Canada
- Watch an Awakenings short film:
- A Portrait in Red (A short film by Alexandra Lazarowich, 2020) covers the relocation of the Don Valley River and the impact of land extraction on the Indigenous peoples origins of Tkaronto.
- Reflections with Alex Lazarowich discusses missing and murdered Indigenous women and the impact of environmental disasters affecting natural resources for Indigenous people across Canada.
- Land acknowledgements: Acknowledgment (A short film by Jonathan Elliott, 2020) and Reflections with Jonathan Elliott
Together,
Trish Van Katwyk