My first encounter with truth and reconciliation

I’m perched tentatively on the edge of my seat. Autumn leaves are falling just beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows of the hall that is, for now, home to a sacred rite. It is my first experience with a blanket ceremony.

An indigenous elder leads our group through an exercise of imagination and truth telling. We visit history from the perspective of indigenous peoples across Canada. We consider how different that view point is from our own. Many of us weep. Some leave the hall. It’s a lot to take in. There was so much we simply did not know.

The elder challenges, “You’ve likely heard the word ‘reconciliation’ a lot in media lately. Maybe even in your personal conversations. From my perspective? The word ‘reconciliation’ implies that there is something to be reconciled. To be restored. That there was a relationship to return to. But this is not my experience. In my experience? ‘Conciliation’ might be a more honest place to start.”

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation…

…also called Orange Shirt Day, is a day of attention and intention. September 30th is one day of the year that we are welcomed to remember. To consider history through an unpolished lens. And to consider our shared role in building a future that tends all, equally.

Global News elaborates:

CTV adds,

Are truth and reconciliation my responsibility?

Chief Delorme of the Cowessess First Nation says,

We all inherited this. Nobody today created residential schools; nobody today created the Indian Act. No one today created the ’60’s Scoop. But we all inherited it, and we have to acknowledge that people are healing. People are hurting. Let’s do something about it.

Chief Delorme

How can I participate in healing?

Here at @DonateACarCanada our mission is to serve Canadians. In all of our diversity and complexity and simple humanity — we work for the causes that are working for you!

So, the question of practical help is always front of mind for us. It’s actually what we do. All day. Every day!

If you’re up for it, you could do a little reading up on the history of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – NCTR? Look for their “94 Calls to Action.”

Curious about digging even deeper? The National Inquiry Into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls: Final Report | MMIWG (mmiwg-ffada.ca is another deep exploration of mindful interaction with these critical issues.

Listen, learn, companion, give. Is there a way of engaging with truth and reconciliation that is a natural extension of You? What if we each begin from exactly that place and build from there?

Together.

In shared humanity and dignity.

If you’d like to donate a car/truck/van and need a hand finding a charity that best combines your passions and this issue, explore our charities list. You can also give us a call — we’re happy to assist!

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, too. There you will be able to keep up-to-date on posts. We love to showcase amazing donors and charities in every province in Canada!

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Indigenous Peoples Day, Week, Month

We hold carefully the stories of those who came before us in our own small ways.

Our little team of staff here at Donate a Car Canada works from home. Working from several towns in Alberta, we are becoming increasingly aware of what our history is really all about.

For myself, I work from the traditional territory of the Stoney Nakoda (Bearspaw, Chiniki, Wesley), Pikani, Siksika, Kainai, Tsuut’ina, and Metis. When I tromp the river valley or the bluffs of my town, I often wonder about those whose feet landed on that same earth — long, long before my own.

At the time of this writing, the news of the day continues to alarm. Daily, we are reminded that great suffering has been dealt to our Indigenous Peoples. We hold this with humility, heartache, and care. To be mindful of National Indigenous Peoples Day is a small thing. Marking Indigenous History Month is a necessary acknowledgment of our Metis, Inuit, First Nations. In this honouring we acknowledge the abuses, systemic racism, and complex social injustices that our indigenous experience daily.

Shifting — understanding and growth

Our role here at Donate a Car Canada is simple! We make it possible for Canadians to gift the charity they love through car donation.

This easy as 1-2-3 process has some deep and knowing layers to it, too. We have the happy luck of interacting with hundreds of causes. Moreover, we working alongside thousands of donors. That allows us an ever-humbling perspective on the complex issues that Canadians face.

As we engage with our fellows one car donation at a time, our own understanding of Indigenous Peoples, and the vulnerabilities within their communities, deepens. With understanding, comes a better knowing — a better doing.

Truth and reconciliation

Looking to become more richly informed for yourself?

Explore the Truth and Reconciliation calls to action…and then follow the trail to deeper understanding.

Your vehicle; your values

If you have an unused or unwanted car, truck, van, SUV, or motorcycle rolling around, donate it!

Honour Indigenous Peoples Day and History Month. Donate your car for an allied charity!

Explore our charities list for the cause that matches your own caring best! Can’t find your charity on our list? No problem. Simply ask, and we will ensure that your donation goes to the cause you love!

Once we have your car info, we take care of all of the details. For you. For your charity. Your car is so much more than scrap metal and tires! A gift like yours builds toward inclusion, health, and dignity for all. Your one act of caring ripples out to build a future that is caring and just.

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