By Alazne Qaisar
Each year, the Trudeau Centre for Peace, Conflict and Justice welcomes students from the incoming PCJ260H1-F cohort to participate in Indigenous Cultural Competency Training with Mr. John Croutch of the University of Toronto's Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Supporting Indigenous issues is a priority for the PCJ program and is considered vital to helping our students understand topics in peace, conflict and justice. This year, the workshop was held in-person at the Munk School and brought together students to listen, unpack and engage with the historical and contemporary challenges experienced by Indigenous peoples in Canada.
The presentation began by Mr. Croutch probing students to share what they think are some important problems facing Indigenous peoples. The discussion quickly revealed a host of topics ranging from land rights and incarceration, to residential schools and generational trauma. The loss of identity, language and culture were central to the presentation and highlighted the pain and suffering that Indigenous peoples have endured both historically and continuing in the present-day.
Mr. Croutch went on to introduce students to conversations about the broader Canadian justice and education system – one, which often misrepresents, or appropriates Indigenous history and heritage. As one student, Matthew Davidson noted, “John’s presentation was very informative and went through key context for reconciliation, including support for and challenges to it, and previous legislation. He challenged perceptions about Indigenous peoples…and he spoke to the need for better education on Indigenous history in Canada”.
A point that was emphasized was the cyclical nature of generational trauma and its repercussions, especially on the loss of identity orchestrated by residential schools. Another student, Jana Ghandour, shared that, “although I was aware of residential schools and the symbolism behind the orange shirt, this presentation highlighted the impact of cultural genocide which also killed any chance of Indigenous culture from being transferred to and inherited by their children.”
Most importantly, this training session introduced PCJ students to the ways in which they can better support Indigenous peoples and support their rights by educating themselves and those around them about Indigenous history. Taking our lead from Indigenous activists and rejecting stereotypes that contribute to the harmful discriminatory rhetoric against Indigenous communities, is pivotal to supporting equity and representative justice.
Mr. Croutch’s presentation slide ended with the word “Justice” --- a powerful all-encompassing word that connotes defiance, equality and inclusivity but seldom represents those ideals when one looks beyond the staged manifestations of a system that has failed the Indigenous peoples of Canada. As Mr. Croutch remarked poignantly, justice is rarely just and is often selective. Thus, we as the next generation of Canadians and change-makers are equally, if not more responsible to embark on this long journey fighting for justice, equity and reconciliation for the Indigenous peoples.