Reconciliation conference aims to build bridges through youth
SASKATOON More than 300 youth from across the country are gathering at the University of Saskatchewan to bring young voices forward in the discussion of reconciliation.
The Canadian Roots Exchange (CRE) National Youth Gathering, which kicked off Thursday and runs through Saturday, is an opportunity for Indigenous and non-indigenous youth to discuss their vision for the future of reconciliation.
Max Fineday, executive director of the CRE, said the conference is an important step to bring different perspectives to the table.
“Reconciliation is one of the fastest evolving social movements in this country,” he said. “We’ve heard a lot from politicians and we’ve heard a lot from other constituencies, but I think the crucial voice that has been left out is young people — and we’re the ones who are going to have to live with the consequences if we don’t get it right, or the benefits if we do.”
One of the main reasons for bringing everyone together under one roof is to learn from each other and share past successes and the failures, because it would be impossible to create a nationwide mould to shape reconciliation, since every community has different needs and experiences, he said.
The young people at the conference come from every province and territory, and from rural and urban backgrounds — making them “probably the most diverse group of young people that have ever come together to talk about reconciliation in this country,” Fineday said.
Jasmine Swimmer, a CRE member, is panellist for a discussion focused on what sharing spaces and respectful relationships mean for Indigenous and non-indigenous people.
“Sharing a space looks like this; sharing space looks like all of you out there,” she told the crowd, getting a cheer in response. “Nonindigenous and Indigenous youth coming together and having these discussions is what sharing spaces looks like to me.”
Swimmer said the discussion about sharing spaces will hopefully give youth practical ways to move reconciliation forward on a daily basis. Her own hometown of Toronto could learn a lot about reconciliation from Saskatoon, she said.
Fineday, who is originally from Saskatoon but now lives in Toronto, said he agrees, although he noted there are many challenges to face.
“I think we are very well positioned in Saskatchewan to make sure we are leading the country in breaking down those stereotypes and prejudices and showing Canada what real reconciliation looks like,” he said.
Participants have two more full days of panels, keynotes, workshops and discussions about language, colonialism and exploitation, mental health, traditional crafting and hunting techniques, and more.
“Saskatoon is known for its bridges and I just thought that was so timely because I believe in the statement ‘Instead of building walls let’s build bridges,’ ” Swimmer said.
“Many of our leaders and elders said this morning that bridges are the key thing we need to focus on. Even though we have gone through a history of division, broken promises, anger and hatred — let’s try to focus on the bridges we can build.”