On this episode of Tree Planters, we visit the inspiring reconciliation-art initiative Call To Action #83 Simcoe County, curated by retired educator and multi-mode artist Mary Lou Meiers. The project brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists in Simcoe County to respond collaboratively to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 83rd Call to Action – namely, “A strategy for Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists to undertake collaborative projects and produce works that contribute to the reconciliation process.”

We focus here on Phase 1 of 4 of the artworks, immersing ourselves in the stories, the process of dialogue, trust-building and truth-telling, and how art becomes a carrier for both memory and forward-looking hope. As Mary Lou explains, this work is about “going forward together in a good way, in harmony” (awi-niigaani-wiiji-mino-inawendiwin).

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How can watersheds be used to strengthen our communities, enhance our resilience to the impacts of climate change, and provide the foundations for a sustainable, thriving economy?

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As Canada marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we reflect on the commitments that remain unfinished and the future we hope to build together. In this episode, we speak with Jeff Monague—educator, storyteller, and former Chief of Beausoleil First Nation—about the progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and what reconciliation truly means in practice.

This conversation is an invitation to listen, reflect, and take responsibility for the part we each play in creating a just and reconciled future.

Links:

National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation

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