Now what?

I’m so grateful to have had the opportunities that I’ve had. Completing courses as part of this certificate program has only deepened both my interest and knowledge. However, it has also made me feel great responsibility to do my part to as an educator and change the narrative. As someone who works with people who represent new Canadians, I feel an extra responsibility to share the truth and the responsibility that all people living on this land share.

Several years ago, I have the opportunity to visit the Immigration Museum in Melbourne, Australia. When I visited, there was an exhibition called 'Identity: Yours, Mine, & Ours.' The story of Australia is similar to Canada's in so many ways that I felt that I could connect with this exhibition very closely. At the end of the exhibition, the quote from Gangulu Elder Lilla Watson appeared on the wall. These words struck me as I think they hold two important messages. First, we have a responsibility to work as allies to change systems that perpetuate discrimination, racism, exclusion, and paternalism, to name just a few. Second, as allies, we must listen and learn, and then allow Indigenous people to determine how change needs to happen.