Submitted by Linda Godhue
Commencing January 23rd, 2019, the Northern Bruce Truth and Reconciliation Group will be discussing “21 Things You Should Know About the Indian Act”, subtitled “Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples A Reality”. The author of this book is Bob Joseph, an Indigenous person, a member of the Gwawaenuk Nation located between Comox and Port Hardy B.C. The dates set aside for the discussions are on Wednesdays, January 23rd, February 13th and 27th and March 13th. They will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Tobermory United Church.
This book sets out in 21 Sections some of the statutes and policies that the Author refers to as not common knowledge and to create a real interest in learning about the Indian Act and its impact. The examination and discussion of this book follows along with what the Northern Bruce Truth and Reconciliation Group has been doing since it first came together in the fall of 2015, when it studied the then just released report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The group continued on with events that were open to the community, especially the New Path summer events of 2017 and 2018.
The Indian Act, which came into effect in 1876, is still being moderated and changed to reflect the current growing awareness and commitment to reconciliation between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Peoples of Canada. In reading and discussing this book we all can learn more about the Indian Act and its implications for that reconciliation.
Please consider coming out and joining the Truth and Reconciliation Group for this series of discussions. If you want to be part of the discussion, please contact Val at vscott@amtelecom.net to register and how to obtain the book. Please register by December 31st, 2018. If enough people register the book will be available at a discounted price.
