Reconciliation is trending - many of us in the non-profit world are looking to activate our role in moving our collective forward in a respectful and just direction. In the first part of this article, Shereen talks about the role of social media in promoting reconciliation. In this part, she offers a host of daily tips for getting started.
The Communications Affinity Group is a community of communications staff at different philanthropic foundations across Canada. The group was formed to exchange knowledge, resources and ideas to improve the work of our organizations and the communities we serve. The group comes together to work as a collective voice around priorities of shared interest and importance.
As a collective The Communication’s Affinity Group compiled a list of homework to be completed over a two-week period. Each assignment was an opportunity to raise awareness, and participate from a place of respect.
Below is the list of assignments, we invite you to learn and participate as you start or continue the journey to reconciliation:
Monday Read the Philanthropic Declaration of Action
Tuesday Look up the traditional territory of where your charity or foundation was founded, and where its offices are located today. Tweet the location.
Wednesday Watch: Pens to Paper: Words to Action Activating The Philanthropic Community’s First Step to Reconciliation
Thursday Read the Indigenous Communities and Philanthropy series as one of the pieces of homework
Friday Listen to @TheCircleCanada’s webinar “I Don’t Want to Say the Wrong Thing: Shedding Light on Language"
Saturday Support and share Indigenous voices. (this could be sharing an article written by an Indigenous writer, retweeting an Indigenous person or organization’s tweet)
Sunday Stay up to date with news through an Indigenous lens: The Tyee
Monday The 94 TRC [Trust and Reconciliation Commission] recommendations cover an array of issues that philanthropy seeks to address, including: poverty, environment, education, immigration and settlement. Read the recommendations and identify those that are most connected to your organization’s mission.
Tuesday Subscribe to Indigenous publications: Red Rising Magazine
Wednesday Listen to the Unreserved Podcast: Building an ally - non-Indigenous peoples share their stories of bridge building
Thursday Watch this interview with Reconciliation Canada’s Chief Robert Joseph and Karen Joseph
Friday Host a Lunch & Learn in your office to open dialogue on your organization’s role in reconciliation.
Saturday Watch Reconciliation Canada’s National Thought Table on Reconciliation
Sunday Pledge to continue putting #ReconciliationInAction by tweeting @TheCircleCanada the ways you will continue to engage on the #JourneyToReconciliation
It is important to keep in mind that the work of reconciliation cannot be achieved through likes and shares. The online network and access to information is an only first step to spark dialogue, movement and change.
Shereen Munshi is the Communications Coordinator, The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. Follow @TheCircleCanada online to continue learning and find out ways how you and your organization can join us in putting #ReconciliationInAction
