CANADA
CBC News
Reconciliation starts with small moments and little steps toward mutual respect, says Reconciliation Canada co-founder, Chief Robert Joseph.
Joseph is one of approximately 150,000 First Nations children who suffered years of abuse, isolation and trauma in Canada’s residential schools. He is also the hereditary chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation.
“True reconciliation, fundamentally, is about relationships. It means that you and I can coexist in mutual respect and all of us can afford each other dignity,” he said.
“Then we work on those issues that divide us. Sometimes it’s attitudinal racism, sometimes it’s economics, sometimes it’s social.”
Joseph is receiving an award from the Wallenberg Sugihara Civil Courage Society Sunday for his work.
The award is given to an individual who has stood up against social injustice at significant personal risk.
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