When Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released their report in 2015 there was a clear call to educational institutions to take responsibility for leading the way in addressing the challenge of reconciliation between Canada’s Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.
For many years Vancouver Island University (VIU) has been on that path – one of our fundamental values has been to build and maintain positive reciprocal relationships with First Nations communities and to create a welcoming, supportive and culturally relevant environment for Indigenous students.
Reconciliation Road: Join the Journey with VIU, is another step along that path. It's an example of how the University is taking the responsibility laid out by the TRC seriously. VIU recognizes the road will not be easy. It will require us to look at one of the darkest eras of our shared history; an era that continues to have impacts today. It will mean we must engage in challenging conversations with each other; and that it will take perseverance and determination if we are to move forward.
Reconciliation Road is a series of events and activities that are being planned to engage people in the reconciliation process. These events will create a supportive place for us to come together and build understanding around the challenging and critical work of reconciliation - why it’s important to the future of our country and how they can engage in ensuring that the process moves forward.
Here you will find information on key events that are taking place, as well as other activities that are happening around the theme of reconciliation. We have also included a section of links and downloadable resources.
We hope you will join us on this important journey.