Abstract
Although a great number of academic researchers have introduced reconciliation in their work, they have not explained what it means from Indigenous perspectives. How do we need to understand and practise it in oureveryday practice? Why should we all, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, practise land-based and antiracist learning—as a system of reciprocal social relations and ethical practices—as a framework for reconciliation? This article initiates these transdisciplinary questions that challenge not only our static science and social science mindsets, but also the responsibilities for reconciliation, including building respectful relationships with Indigenous people, respecting Indigenous treaties, taking actions to decolonise our ways of knowing and acting, learning the role of colonised education processes, and protecting Indigenous land and environment rights.
Highlights
Reconciliation is not something that government can legislate into reality and it’s not something Indigenous people can force on the rest of Canada
A number of questions remain unanswered for many immigrants, refugees and settlers regarding current practices of reconciliation, including: What is reconciliation? Why does it matter to me? Why should I be responsible for it? Is reconciliation an end goal to be achieved or is it a process? Is it a collective or an individual responsibility? Why am I responsible for meaningful implementation of reconciliation? How am I benefitting from Indigenous perspectives on reconciliation? Many Indigenous scholars, Elders, knowledgeholders and activists have answered these questions numerous times; there are limited educational policies and practices
Situating myself (Who am I? Where am I coming from? Where am I going?) is significant in exploring What does ‘reconciliation’ mean for an immigrant Canadian like me? As an Indigenous person from Bangladesh, I have seen how Bangladeshi Indigenous peoples are displaced every day from their traditional land, how Indigenous women are raped and murdered, and how Indigenous culture, knowledge and sustainability are destroyed by mainstream people and the military (Datta, 2019)
Summary
Situating myself (Who am I? Where am I coming from? Where am I going?) is significant in exploring What does ‘reconciliation’ mean for an immigrant Canadian like me? As an Indigenous person from Bangladesh, I have seen how Bangladeshi Indigenous peoples are displaced every day from their traditional land, how Indigenous women are raped and murdered, and how Indigenous culture, knowledge and sustainability are destroyed by mainstream people and the military (Datta, 2019). I have observed that many of our Indigenous people sacrifice their lives every day to protect their lives, culture, land and sustainability. I have learned from my Indigenous ancestors that the meaning of reconciliation from an Indigenous perspective is significant for who we are in our land, our identity and our sustainability, but it can offer many benefits to all Bangladeshi people. I know as an immigrant in Canada that learning about reconciliation from Indigenous people is beneficial to them but will create many benefits for me, including educating me, creating a sense of belonging in this land, and empowering me. I have a strong commitment and passion to learn the meaning of reconciliation from Indigenous perspectives, but it is my responsibility
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