Elements of Truth:
BEFORE RECONCILIATION
Truth before reconciliation is an opportunity for all of us to learn from our past, to begin to step into our fuller potential in the present, and to re-imagine a better future together
2025 WORKSHOP DATES
Elements of Truth will return April 2025. Stay tuned for workshop dates!
Earth:
IMPACT OF COLONIZATION
Reconciliation must be rooted in truth; the Elements of Truth journey begins with EARTH: Impacts of Colonization. In our first workshop, we illuminate past and ongoing connections between settler colonialism, Indigenous self-determination, and the land.
We ground our time together in Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, and being, so that we are better equipped to practice walking together toward truth.
We thrive by being ON THE LAND IN A GOOD WAY TOGETHER
Air:
EXPANDING PERSPECTIVES
| In AIR: Expanding Perspectives, we explore how false narratives and biases influence our perspectives on and interactions with Indigenous peoples, and reinforce settler colonial systems and the purposes those systems serve. By increasing our awareness of how this shows up in the everyday, we begin to unlearn colonial mindsets, and (re-)learn mindsets that support respectful and reciprocal relationships. |
WE BREATHE LIFE INTO NEW WAYS BY OPENING OUR HEARTS AND MINDS
Fire:
AWARENESS OF POWER AND PRIVILEGE
In FIRE: Awareness of Power and Privilege, we increase our awareness of social positioning and cultivate ways of seeing, being, and doing that support our responsibility to center and support Indigenous voices.
Together, we breathe life into the embers of Indigenous wisdom, principles, and practices and seek to ignite our consciousness, courage, and connection.
Fire can help but must be tended carefully or it can also harm
Water:
SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES
In WATER: Shared Responsibilities, we name actions and mindsets that contribute to the marginalization and erasure of Indigenous peoples. Naming helps us build up our capacities to disrupt and shift those behaviours in support of transformative change.
Together, we envision the power of collective responsibility. We are each a drop of water; together, we are as powerful as the sea.
Our ripples for positive change flow through time and place
Who is Elements of Truth for?
You might be someone who is...
- Ready to deepen your understanding of the history and ongoing impact of colonization
- Interested in unlearning implicit biases and embracing shifting perspectives
- Dreaming of co-creating more inclusive spaces for Indigenous peoples in your work or community
- Committed to centering and uplifting Indigenous leadership and voices
- Curious about how to navigate challenging conversations about Indigenous-specific racism, positionality and privilege
- Seeking a facilitated and relational space to explore your feelings, thoughts and wonderings about reconciliation with Indigenous peoples
Wherever you are joining us from, we invite you to walk alongside us on this journey together
Your support lifts us up!
When you join us for a kinSHIFT workshop—like Elements of Truth—you are supporting the programs and training we offer through our non-profit, IndigenEYEZ, strengthening and celebrating the gifts of Indigenous peoples who want to inspire hope and ignite change in their communities. limləmt, thank you!
REFLECTIONS FROM PARTICIPANTS
“...the questions you asked created a safe space where I could really question and explore many perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. I walked away with so many new learnings, and I have realized there is so much more to learn. One of the best workshops I have attended!”
— Community Engagement, Interior Savings
“I have significantly improved my historical understanding of what happened and the systemic barriers in place for Indigenous people.
I would recommend this workshop to any settler who is ready to learn more. This is the best training and development opportunity I have participated in many, many years. I sincerely hope we can continue to offer this workshop and encourage all staff and faculty members to attend.”
— Student Services, Douglas College
UPCOMING DATES
Please come back in early 2025 to see our dates for the April workshops!
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