On Season 4, Episode 33 of Unleashed, Annie Korver brought emotion, insight, & understanding to our path towards truth & reconciliation. Annie is driven to work toward a future Canada where one group’s prosperity does not come at the expense of another.
Actions You Can Take Right Now
- Diversity your media. Take stock of how you spend your time – what do you read, listen to? Look for Aboriginal artists & authors.
- Read the TRC calls to action. Get in touch with Annie for a guide.
- Shop Indigenous. Find suppliers and vendors. Encourage entrepreneurism.
- Be accountable for your learning & actions. Show up today & every day to respond to the call for reconciliation
For other great resources from Annie, check out her workbook and resource guide here.
View or listen to this and other past episodes at www.unleashresults.com/unleashed-series
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Episode Highlights and Excerpts
- Why today? Why Sept 30th? The orange shirt movement started in 2013 to recognize the colonial residential experience. Orange Shirt Day originates from the story of Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. In 1973, on her first day at St. Joseph’s Residential School in Williams Lake, BC, Phyllis’s shiny new orange shirt was stripped from her, never to be seen again. Today the start of school year represents an exciting time – new crayons, clothes – years ago this wasn’t the case, September was a time of fear.
- We have a long way to go toward reconciliation, but we each have influence & opportunity to make change. We all have voices & can amplify this awareness of the need for reconciliation. For Canada to prosper we must establish new relationships between settlers and indigenous.
- What became difficult for us after the Kamloops discovery was there was this focus on past tense language – but the reality is the system has led to injustice; has led to intergenerational trauma; and has created ongoing barriers within Indigenous communities. This trauma and these barriers and challenges – they exist TODAY and this is what creates an ongoing opportunity for all of us.
- 1st Nation vs Metis, vs aboriginal – what are the correct terms? Ask how they like to identify. Ask about the history of the community. The term Indigenous People is globally defined as descendants of the early populations living in the area.
- Colonial is everywhere & you don’t feel it because it’s the system we live in. Time is colonial. We didn’t wear watches. For us, waiting is a sign of respect. This myth around Indian time – it’s not that we don’t care – it’s about priorities. When building a partnership, be curious about what your partner’s priorities might be.
- Where can we find resources? An opportunity to act exists everywhere. Watch the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network – turn it on, look at the episodes, learn through that platform. Podcasts, music, media sources, books – 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph. University of Alberta has an online course called Mooc. It’s a free Indigenous Canada course. Work with an organization like Rise Consulting who can help you start the journey. See Annie’s workbook for a full list of resources.
- Question asked to the host from Annie: “what is your journey?” I feel shameful – I did not know much about residential schools until a couple of years ago. It has been hard coming to terms with this country you love when you look around & realize that this is how so many people experienced it. We can never do enough to make this right & repay it. My biggest fear is what happens after this? We must find ways to create action. We should all let the pride we feel in our country fuel the movement toward reconciliation reconciliation.
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Annie Korver
Inspired by reconciliation in Canada and her own Metis ancestry, Annie Korver founded her company Rise Consulting Ltd. to advance Indigenous inclusion with a focus on economic development. Annie joined us for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Annie holds a Masters of Business Administration and Aboriginal Relations Leadership Certificate from the University of Calgary, a Bachelor of Tourism Management from the Thompson Rivers University and is a certified Public Participation Practitioner through the International Association of Public Participation.
Annie lives within Ktunaxa ?amaki?is, the homelands of the Ktnuaxa people, in Fernie, British Columbia, with her husband and their two young children where they enjoy skiing, biking, and hiking as often as possible.