Reconciliation Saskatoon
The City of Saskatoon co-chairs Reconciliation Saskatoon, which is a community of organizations, non-profits, businesses, and other partners who have come together to initiate a citywide conversation about reconciliation and provide opportunities to engage in the TRC Calls to Action.
We invite others to participate in reconciliation activities. These efforts are a means of expanding the learning about reconciliation and the network of people committing to the journey of reconciliation.
These activities offer Saskatoon residents the opportunity to learn about the residential schools, their ongoing legacy today, and also the incredible resilience and strength of Indigenous people in Saskatoon.
Learn more:
- Reconciliation Saskatoon's agreed-upon objectives and princicples
- The Reconciliation Saskatoon logo, which was created to be used by reconciliation groups across the province
- Sign up for the Reconciliation Saskatoon Newsletter
- Follow Reconciliation Saskatoon on Facebook
All Saskatoon residents are welcome to take part in reconciliation events in our community.
#ActOnReconciliation
Following the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) on September 30, 2021, the Saskatoon Tribal Council initiated a campaign called #ActOnReconciliation. Its intent was to harness the momentum of NDTR and Orange Shirt Day (also September 30) and to keep Reconciliation top of mind all year long. The campaign calls for action and awareness on the last Friday of each month in 2022.
On #ActOnReconciliation Fridays:
- Wear your EveryChildMatters shirt or any other orange shirt.
- Consider taking up the suggested Reconciliation action for the month (see below) or another reconciliation action.
- Use the hashtag #ActOnReconciliation to share the action you're taking to social media.
2022 Suggested Actions:
Jan | Incorporate Land Acknowledgments (reception, e-signature, newsletter, website, other). More info here. |
Feb | Post this Indigenous ALLY Poster in spaces where discussions take place about work and community. |
Mar | Register for “Let’s Talk: Reconciliation Conversations”. Open to all, via Zoom, free of charge. |
Apr | Attend the Creating Safe Spaces for IWG2S panel discussion. May 18th, 12 to 2 p.m., via Zoom. Register here. |
May | Visit Civic Square (beside City Hall off 23rd St E) between May 27 and June 3 to see the Reconciliation Flag raised and to take a moment to reflect on its significance. |
Jun | In honour of Indigenous History Month (June) and Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), take an individual or group Walk of Reconciliation and reflect on or discuss Reconciliation. |
Jul | Check out an event at the Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games or follow the Games virtually via Facebook. |
Aug | Save the date for the rescheduled Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation. |
Sep | Participate in a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation activity such as the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation or the afternoon of free programming at Cosmo Civic Centre. |
Oct | Consider purchasing a ticket to virtually join the Wîcihitowin Indigenous Engagement Conference - registration at wicihitowin.ca. |
Nov | Choose your next book from the Saskatoon Public Library's Read for Reconciliation category. |
Dec | Make a purchase that supports an Indigenous artisan. |
TIP! Follow the City on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to see updates about #ActOnReconciliation and the suggested action for the month.
News Release - City supporting #ActOnReconciliation campaign
ConnectR Challenge
Reconciliation Saskatoon has launched ConnectR - an online tool designed to help residents choose their own path towards reconciliation.
The Reconciliation Challenge is a commitment to start or continue a journey of reconciliation by using the BeAConnectR.com website to learn more about Indigenous peoples' past and present experiences. Visitors to the site are offered different paths to start their journey of reconciliation. Activities include: reading a particular book, learning about Indigenous protocols, visiting an Indigenous cultural site or going to a local workshop.
Residents can choose to join the ConnectR Challenge Facebook Group if you want to share the experience and access guidance and support.
Funding for the project came from Saskatoon Community Foundation and the Government of Saskatchewan, as well as in-kind support from the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and the City of Saskatoon. The City of Saskatoon also provides website hosting services for the ConnectR website.
Know Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation
The Know Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation was an idea borne of the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation organizing committee. The committee members wanted to create a map of places around Saskatoon that speak to the process of reconciliation. The map includes locations such as public art installations, sites of historical significance, renaming initiatives, and sites of unique Indigenous and non-Indigenous partnerships.
This project was realized thanks to a partnership between Reconciliation Saskatoon (which the City co-chairs) and the Saskatoon Public Library. The partners are grateful to Reconciliation Saskatoon Youth Advocate Anastasia Hauser, the City of Saskatoon, and to the Saskatoon Survivors Circle for shaping this project and bringing it to life.
The map and the accompanying informational booklet were released on 2021 Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21st). This resource will continue to evolve and grow, as new locations are added with the input of Indigenous youth, communities, Knowledge Keepers, and Residential School Survivors.
Read for Reconciliation
Make a commitment to Read for Reconciliation by accessing materials through the local branch of your Saskatoon Public Library.
Reconciliation Reading Room: In 2017, the Saskatoon Public Library became the first public library to incorporate a space permanently dedicated to truth and reconciliation when the Frances Morrison Central Library (311 23rd St E) opened a Read for Reconciliation Reading Room.
The space includes a full set of the reports compiled by the TRC over five years, as well as a variety of books about Canada’s history of residential schools. The space currently holds more than 1,200 volumes devoted to reconciliation—adult fiction, nonfiction, poetry both by and about Indigenous Peoples, information on the history of residential schools and the reconciliation movement, and an original boxed copy of the TRC report. In addition, the space is host to programming focused on healing, truth, and reconciliation. Learn more about the Reconciliation Reading Room.