Reconciliation is not an Aboriginal problem; it is a Canadian one. Virtually all aspects of Canadian society may need to be reconsidered.
Reconciliation is about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country. In order for that to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change the behaviour.
– Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
Our Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
The truth is that colonization and Canadian laws and policies have deeply harmed Indigenous peoples and cultures in innumerable ways, and continue to do so. Compass is inspired by the resilience and courage of Indigenous peoples in the face of Canadian policies that were designed to eliminate Indigenous peoples as distinct peoples, with distinct rights, laws, governance systems, cultural identities, languages, and worldviews.
As individuals and as a company, we have been deeply moved by the confirmation of the tragedies that occurred at Canada’s residential schools for Indigenous children. We know that for Indigenous peoples, this is not news – even before it was documented by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it was known that children that were taken from their families and never returned, or returned deeply changed.
We are committed to doing our part to advance truth and reconciliation. This includes working hard to achieve the transformative change set out by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and by Indigenous communities across Canada.
With the spotlight finally on the truth of Canada’s history with Indigenous peoples, we’re re-examining our own role in reconciliation. We’re committed to listening, learning, reflecting, and adapting our approaches to better facilitate reconciliation and to move forward in a good way.
Our Guiding Principles
Continual learning and reflection. We recognize that we have a lot to learn about Indigenous rights, laws, governance systems, cultural identities, languages, and worldviews, and contributions to Canada’s history. We strive to be open, receptive, and respectful. We challenge ourselves to check and unlearn ingrained assumptions – and to grapple with our own personal family histories. When we make mistakes, we own them, and commit to doing better.
Listening. Indigenous peoples have much to teach us about how to establish respectful relationships among peoples and with the land and all living things. We remind each other to make space for Indigenous leadership and to elevate Indigenous voices. It’s our turn to listen.
Advocating for the truth. We speak out when the truth isn’t being centered and look for ways to equalize power imbalances, even when it’s uncomfortable. We seek to design processes that are transparent, inclusive, innovative and founded on mutual respect and partnership.
Compass Reconciliation Conversations
We are meeting monthly for open discussion and reflection about reconciliation. We share articles, books, podcasts, questions, reflections from our own learning, and insights from courses or webinars we’ve participated in. Check out our conversation here.