Let's Talk About Reconciliation

Let's Talk About Reconciliation was an event at the Vancouver Public Library on February 21st that was facilitated by Jules Koostachin (former Aboriginal Storyteller in Residence at VPL). It was great to be at a table with union women - Michelle from CUPE 4879, Aliza from CUPE 391, Debra from CUPE 728 and Laurie formerly of the BC Fed. 

 The evening was one in a series that was a partnership with UNESCO. The purpose of the evening was to put people in a room - indigenous and non-indigenous to talk about healing. The purpose of having the event in the public library centres around that they are the beacons of knowledge and spaces for contemplation. It wasn't lost on the room that the event was on the same day as International Mother Language Day - as we talked about the revitalization of indigenous languages in BC (the province had made an announcement the day prior about investing $50million in indigenous languages). 

 For the evening's main event, Jules curated and put together a program of Canadian indigenous all found on the NFB database. 

 After the films Jules led us in a discussion about the films we watched in relation to the questions at our tables. As always, these events are always a learning opportunity and spending a couple of hours watching films I wouldn't have seen before was worth the 2+ hours we were there.

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