The three TRC commissioners sit behind the Bentwood Box at the Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Manitoba. From left to right: Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, Dr. Marie Wilson, and Chief Wilton Littlechild. Photo sourced from: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Archives, Photograph, British Columbia National Event, TRC. #93: If you actually want to see the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people change, and commit to making reconciliation a part of your every-day ethos.
Number 93 is a challenge for me. Ethos is a greek method to appeal to another through persuasion. I'm not sure if I am necessarily qualified to tell you that reconciliation will make Canada a better place to live for everyone, but that won't stop me from trying. It gives me great comfort to know that three people, the most qualified people on Turtle Island, are saying that very same thing. Take a minute and read about the Commissioners of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission and their amazing achievements here, and then think about how their qualifications impact your perspective of the TRC. It adds immense credibility in my mind. A CBC senior manager, a judge, a world class athlete, Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, Dr. Marie Wilson and Chief Wilton Littlechild respectively have done it, surpassed it and created new definitions of success for Indigenous people. I trust that they collectively, after hearing thousands of testimonies and coming to the table already equipped with expertise, have created recommendations that will have such a powerful effect on the cultural arena the dictates the everyday lives of Canadians. In western culture, it is dismissive to think that culture is only a reflection of the underlying social conditions. In fact, culture is a force in and of itself that shapes how we lead our daily lives, our economic systems and our political realm. While academia is leading the conversation of reconciliation, I believe that it needs to be infused in both non-academic and academic spaces. I'm really more interested in how reconciliation is discussed in the day-to-day conversations. Ethos, as one of Aristotle's appeals, is mostly used in academic or legal debates. Most people don't think everyday conversations are using appeals, but they do. A very good example is advertising. As a classic consumer, I'm easily persuaded to purchase a new pair of running shoes because a famous athlete endorses them (ethos); or, hotdogs which are my favourite, show me a commercial of someone eating a hot dog (logos) and their satisfied smile immediately appeals to my desire to be happy and not hungry (pathos). How do we apply Aristotle's art of persuasion to reconciliation? Well, we have three options: Ethos (prior knowledge) - is the perspective that others have of you and how it allows you to exert your influence over your audience. The TRC Commissioners are seen by Canadians and Indigenous people as being experts and therefore their collective voice gives credibility to the report and the Calls to Actions. Pathos (emotional appeal) - in my personal opinion emotional appeals related to residential schools is what leads to the laying of guilt so perhaps not the best approach in some circumstances, but in others yes. Logos (scientific data) - written records and scientific data relating to the facts of colonization (statistics about generational trauma, educational achievement, incarceration, health). After all that non-Indigenous based philosophical theory, here is my final interpretation of the Act of Reconciliation #93: In order for reconciliation be successful, we all need to be equipped with prior knowledge about the history and effects of colonization in Canada, in order to speak with credibility and authority about reconciliation which will allow us to be agents of change to shape our every day culture and society.
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About me
I grew up in Athabasca, AB and have spent the majority of my life in Northern Alberta or Montreal, PQ. My husband has been in Fort McMurray since the 70s and continues to love this town and all that it has to offer. We are avid outdoor enthusiasts, spending our summer weekends quadding and camping. As Opimian members we thoroughly enjoy wine pairings and tastings and are working on our wine collection. Ralph is a carpenter by trade and has framed more houses in Fort McMurray than I could count and knows the city inside and out. I work all throughout the region from the NWT to Janvier for the tribal council. My passion is doodling and photography which is featured throughout the website (various mediums), writing, Indigenous studies, and learning in general. Categories |