3.3.2. Reconciliation Is Not Comfortable

Advancing reconciliation as an ally entails confronting colonialism, often re-learning Canada's history, and listening to and supporting Indigenous peoples. For many, confronting colonialism today is uncomfortable as it disrupts our patriotism and pride in being Canadian in order to recognize that our Canadian institutions are products of, and perpetuate, colonial structures. Critically assessing and acknowledging current racist practices is difficult because it involves rethinking practices that we have taken part in and are part of, that we believe are just.

Re-learning Canada's history is also difficult. Most recently, in many communities across Canada, statutes of John A. McDonald have been removed, but not without discussion. For some, the reigning Prime Minister when Canada formed as a nation garners recognition and respect, and they find it difficult to reject this figure totally given his role in creating residential schools (see Section 3.1). However, for residential school survivors and their descendants, seeing this figure elevated in status and commemorated in public places with a statute is re-traumatizing. Being an ally involves interrogating oneself and being true to one's own complicity in colonial and racialized structures, that as a white woman I benefit from, even though I do not intend to. Being an ally requires listening to, acknowledging, respecting, and supporting the wishes of Indigenous people. It also includes breaking the stereotypes and shattering the barriers that exist in our Canadian Institutions, and being open and accepting of Indigenous people. Removing a historical statute is a small gesture in our journey of reconciliation.
