Reconciliation begins with a willingness to learn about the histories of colonization, but also about the cultures, knowledge, experiences, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples today. We have a responsibility to build relationships and put what we learn into practice in how we work and engage with one another.

Shona Sparrow, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, Cultural Facilitator, and Founder of Moon Tide Reconciliation, emphasizes the importance of connecting these learnings to action.
“For me, reconciliation starts with truth and relationship. We need to understand what happened to Indigenous peoples, while also recognizing that the impacts of colonization continue today.”

She encourages us to ask ourselves, “Now that I know this, what am I going to do with it?”

For more than 30 years, Shona has been bringing together Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Cultural Facilitators to support meaningful reconciliation across BC. She works to bring people together, share truth, and create understanding through experience and relationship.

Each year, Moon Tide Reconciliation leads Canuck Place staff through the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, an experiential learning opportunity exploring the histories of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

“The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is powerful because people experience the history rather than simply reading about it. The blankets represent the land, and participants begin to see and feel how colonization affected the land, families, children, languages, cultures and communities.”

Placing participants within the experience creates space for personal reflection.
“After facilitating many Blanket Exercises, I still see that moment when something shifts for participants. Experiential learning reaches people in a very different way.”

Shona considers this experience for participants as a beginning.

“The Blanket Exercise shouldn’t end when we fold up the blankets. I want people to leave with greater understanding, compassion and a sense of responsibility. When they encounter Indigenous peoples in healthcare, their workplace or their community, I hope they remember what they learned and approach those relationships with greater understanding.”

A group of arms wearing indigenous bracelets outstretched over an indigenous handmade hat
Reconciliation requires that we respect Indigenous knowledge and perspectives

Carrying that learning into healthcare and pediatric palliative care also means understanding how culture can shape experiences of serious illness, dying, grief, and remembrance.

“For many Indigenous peoples, family, community, land, ancestors, ceremony and spirituality can be deeply connected. During serious illness, dying and grief, being surrounded by family, connecting with an Elder or Knowledge Keeper, returning home or to the land, or having access to ceremony, medicines, prayer or songs may bring comfort and strength.”

There is no single Indigenous perspective on death and dying. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples have diverse cultures, languages, teachings, ceremonies. Their protocols, and practices can differ between Nations, communities, and individual families.

Shona encourages health-care providers to listen to each family, allowing them to discuss what matters to them. She champions culturally safer care that ensures families are treated with dignity and respect, centring their values and beliefs.

“Every family is different, so one of the most respectful things we can do is simply ask. Ask families who they want involved and what is important to them. Make room for family, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, ceremony, medicines and cultural practices when requested.”

Caring for Indigenous communities also requires knowledge of their relationship to colonial systems, including health care.

“We also need to understand that some Indigenous families may enter healthcare settings carrying experiences of racism or mistrust of colonial systems. Building cultural safety means understanding that history and taking the time to build relationships.”

Meaningful change also depends on how healthcare staff practice these principles in their everyday work

“Education such as the KAIROS Blanket Exercise can be an important beginning, but cultural safety needs to become part of everyday practice—how people are welcomed, spoken to, listened to and included in decisions.”

The same principle applies to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. September 30 is a day to remember the children who never returned home from residential schools, honour Survivors and their families, and recognize the impact across generations. But reconciliation cannot be confined to a single day.

“Trust is built through relationships and through actions over time. Wear your orange shirt, attend gatherings, listen and learn, but don’t let reconciliation end on September 30,” Shona says. “Carry it into October 1 and every day after that. Learn whose territory you live and work on. Build relationships. Challenge racism and stereotypes. Support Indigenous communities, Elders and Knowledge Keepers.”

Our commitment to reconciliation is reflected in our relationships, decisions, and actions every day.

“For me, reconciliation is about what we do after we have heard the truth. Listen. Learn. Build relationships. Carry it forward.”