National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day) takes place each year on September 30th. This year will not only be the 5th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ever to be officially recognized, but it is also the 10-year anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions final report and 94 calls to action.
One resource that has aided us in implementing the 94 calls to action is the article Towards reconciliation: 10 Calls to Action to natural scientists working in Canada.
The film Signal Fire complements this article and shows examples of how researchers and communities of settler and Indigenous heritage can complete these actions.
Read on to learn about these specific 10 calls to action for scientists and how EALT is working towards reconciliation with them in mind.
EALT’s monitoring projects may involve handing wildlife.
We are developing relationships to seek guidance of Elders on handling wildlife, restoration, and sharing stories about the land.
10 Calls to Action for Natural Scientists
Call 1: We call on natural scientists to understand the socio-political landscape around their research sites.
Call 2: We call on natural scientists to recognize that generating knowledge about the land is a goal shared with Indigenous peoples and to seek meaningful relationships and possible collaboration for better outcomes for all involved.
Call 3: We call on natural scientists to enable knowledge sharing and knowledge co-production.
Call 4: We call on natural scientists studying animals to seek out advice from Elders for respectful ways of handling animals
Respecting and understanding the stories about the land and the beings that call it home are crucial to conserving natural areas in perpetuity.
Read more about amiskwaciy-wâskahikan.
Call 5: We call upon natural scientists to provide meaningful opportunities for Indigenous community members, particularly youth, to experience and participate in science.
Call 6: To decolonize the landscape, we call on natural scientists to incorporate Indigenous place names as permitted.
Call 7: We call upon natural scientists and their students to take a course on Indigenous history and rights.
Partnerships make a difference
EALT is looking forward to the projects and partnerships established with Indigenous Nations, communities, groups, and organizations that will allow for further conservation, connection to the land, and ceremony.
To partner with EALT, reach out to Gary, our Indigenous Outreach Coordinator.
Call 8: We call on funding bodies to change approaches to funding.
Call 9: We call on editors of all scientific journals to recognize that publication of research on Indigenous Knowledge and cultural resources require review and permission from the respective Indigenous communities.
Call 10: Finally, we call on all natural scientists and postsecondary research institutions to develop a new vision for conducting natural science: fundamentally mainstreaming reconciliation in all aspects of the scientific endeavor, from formulation to completion.
As an organization that works with land, community, plants and animals, we take our responsibility to enact these calls to actions seriously. We recommend this article to anyone who is interested in or involved in the natural sciences.
Supporting Community
It’s important that we include community in our efforts as we use these calls to action to inform our work.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation seeks to recognize atrocities and multi-generational effects of the Canadian Indian residential school system.
Many people in the Edmonton Community are survivors and/or intergenerational survivors of residential school and day school. We hope that our community members are able to spend time with family and in community throughout this month and on September 30th.
For our community members who are not directly affected, your support and assistance are encouraged and appreciated.
Events
tahto awasis asitakimaw ᑕᐦᑐ ᐊᐋᓸᐢ ᐊᓯᑕᑭᒫᐤ Every Child Matters Traditional Feast & Round Dance with I.A.M. Collective - Sept 6
Discovery Tours with Talking Rock Tours
From Acknowledgement to Action: A Reconciliation Journey - September 30
Resources
Government of Canada Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
Edmonton Resources for Indigenous Peoples
Share and support
Does this article and the 10 calls to action inspire you? Share the Signal Fire film with others, talk about ways you can complete these actions in your workplace, or encourage conservation groups that you know of to take action as well.
If you have examples of reconciliation in science and conservation, please feel free to share them with us.
You can also reach out to partner with EALT.