Reflections on Reconciliation and Civic Engagement

There’s a lot going on right now.

Rising costs, global instability, political division...for me, it almost feels like we have been collectively holding our breath for longer than our lungs were meant to withstand. The weight of each moment makes it harder to make sense of everything around us. And yet still, I think it’s important that we stay present with it.

One thing I've been sitting with lately is something closer to home. As I read the news and scroll through social media, I've noticed an uptick in anti-Indigenous rhetoric and racism. The kind of comments and conversations about Indigenous people and communities that feel hostile or dismissive. Sadly, this isn't new, as Indigenous Peoples have long faced discrimination and hostility [1, 2]. One provincial Human Rights Commissioner's office has even noted that rising hateful rhetoric is harming not only businesses, but also nonprofits and community initiatives more broadly [3]. As a Métis man who often passes without notice through the colonial lens, I've been fortunate to avoid many of the experiences that others have faced, though not all of them. The reality is that these issues are systemic and addressing them requires action from all levels of society. I think this is maybe why, as I watch the events unfold around the upcoming Alberta referendum, I’m left with a series of mixed feelings.

Working for an organization that values civic engagement and the systems that allow it to thrive, I recognize that we're witnessing a renewed interest in public participation. Both the Forever Canadian and Stay Free Alberta petition campaigns report mobilizing thousands of volunteers each [4, 5]. At a time when many nonprofits are reporting difficulties in recruiting and retaining volunteers [6], that's significant. We are also seeing multiple new groups form to encourage engagement with the referendum and citizen participation [7], fostering widespread understanding of political and civic systems. It’s exciting to see a revitalization of people engaging with civic processes and voicing their opinions.  When people engage with their community, be it through volunteerism or political advocacy, it can foster a strong sense of belonging and purpose. These collective efforts often become defining features of a community that bond people together and can create lasting impact. At the same time, I am realizing that we need to consider not only whether people are engaging, but also the how and why they are engaging. Some of what I have observed alongside this mobilization includes rhetoric that dismisses treaty rights, denies the realities of residential schools, and rejects our responsibilities to one another as neighbours. Civic engagement alone is not enough. The intent behind that engagement matters as well. When a movement unites people through the exclusion or harm of others, how should we reconcile the increased civic participation it inspires with the damage it may cause?

This is where I find myself returning to Reconciliation. Reconciliation isn’t solely about Indigenous Rights, although they are a foundation and guiding factor. At its core, Reconciliation is about mending relationships. It is about acknowledging truth, understanding the impacts of past and ongoing harms, and building a stronger future together.

Earlier this year, I attended a webinar on Indigenous Cultural Safety hosted by Inclusivity [8] and co-facilitated by Len Pierre Consulting [9]. One concept that stayed with me was "Reconciliation Anxiety," the fear of saying the wrong thing, making mistakes, or being criticized when engaging in conversations about Reconciliation. That fear can prevent people from engaging with the truth altogether. Yet Reconciliation does not require perfection. It requires humility. It asks us to remain in relationship with one another, to listen when we are challenged, and to continue learning even when conversations become uncomfortable. This idea connects closely with the teachings shared by Tahltan-Kaska writer and activist, Jen Greenway, on her Go Smudge Yourself podcast [10]. Greenway's reflections suggest that meaningful engagement begins with a willingness to sit with complexity, acknowledge our interconnectedness, and remain open to learning from others. In this way, moving beyond Reconciliation Anxiety is not just about having difficult conversations. It is also about developing the mindset required to make thoughtful decisions and build stronger communities. Effective decision-making requires us to view issues holistically. We are connected through a web of relationships, responsibilities, and consequences. Our role as community members and leaders is not simply to speak, but also to listen, understand, and inform ourselves.

As discussions around the Alberta referendum continue, I encourage people to stay engaged and informed as an act of Reconciliation. Learn about treaty rights and how they are affirmed under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 [11]. Look into how economic uncertainty has historically shaped public opinion and debate and consider how that pattern shows up in conversations today [12]. Examine the realities behind immigration, healthcare, education, and governance before forming conclusions.

Reconciliation is not something separate from civic engagement. It is one of the ways we strengthen our collective communities with our hearts and minds. It asks us to engage with honesty, empathy, and a willingness to understand how our decisions affect others.

This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I hope we can resist the pull toward fear, division, and the temptation to reduce complex questions to simple answers. Instead, let us remain curious. Let us stay informed. Let us stay in relationship with one another.

And as we navigate the conversations ahead, let us lean into Reconciliation.

1.        Indigenous experiences with racism in Canada. (May 15, 2025) Environics Institute for Survey Research. Available at: https://environicsinstitute.org/indigenous-experiences-with-racism-in-canada/

2.        They Sigh or Give You the Look: Discrimination and Status Card Usage (Nov 15, 2022) Union of BC Chiefs. Available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jPTLpjcFLj-ld6gFW-HiYmWmyVXZRYXq/view

3.        From hate to hope: Report of the Inquiry into hate in the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2023) British Columbia Office of the Human Rights Commissioner. Available at: https://bchumanrights.ca/wp-content/uploads/BCOHRC_Hate-in-the-pandemic.pdf

4.       Forever Canadian (2026): more than 10,000 volunteers. https://www.forever-canadian.ca/en/about-us 

5.        Stay Free Alberta (2026): more than 7000 volunteers. https://stayfreealberta.com/

6.        The Volunteer Void: Why Charities Are Struggling to Find Help (Oct 9, 2025) Tara McWhinnery, Carleton University, CICP-PCPOB. Available at: https://carleton.ca/cicp-pcpob/2025/the-volunteer-void/

7.        A guide to the (many) groups running Alberta's separatist and remain camps (May 30, 2026) Jason Markusoff, CBC news. Available at: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/guide-alberta-separatist-stay-referendum-9.7217218

8.        Inclusivity - Training and workshops: https://inclusivityinsight.com/inclusivity-training/

9.        Len Pierre Consulting - https://www.lenpierreconsulting.com/

10.   Indigenous Leadership - What Makes a Good Leader? (May 17, 2025) Jen Greenway, Go Smudge Yourself. Available at: https://jengreenway.substack.com/p/episode-7-indigenous-leadership-what

11.   Section 35 of the federal Constitution Act of 1982 - https://www.statutes.ca/constitution-act-1982/35

12.  Don't blame your neighbours for broken budgets (2026) Alberta Taxpayers Federation: https://albertataxpayers.ca/