Two Cents Blog

The IRG was the platinum sponsor of the 2018 conference of the First Nations Health Managers Association (FNHMA). This partnership is important to us, for three reasons. This is the largest Indigenous health event in Canada, led by an Indigenous organization.  Indigenous experts share about best/wise practices in their community, real experience of health programming […]

With acknowledgement to Tanya Talaga. The Indigenous Reconciliation Group was honoured to support Anishnabe author Tanya Talaga who was selected for the 2018 Massey Lectures.  The CBC Massey Lectures is a partnership between CBC, House of Anasi Press and Massey College at the University of Toronto. This year’s lectures are also created in collaboration with the Toronto

Recently in Canada and Scotland, there has been renewed debates about the presence of statues and plaques commemorating figures of history.  The statue of Cornwallis in Halifax, Macdonald in Victoria, Duncan Campbell Scott’s memorial plaque in Ottawa, and the Henry Dundas statue in Edinburgh, Scotland. The debate is not whether the person being commemorated is

As January comes to an end we find ourselves in the midst of strange days. The world has marked the anniversary of Trumpism alongside the events of the #MeToo movement. While the politics of division aren’t as pronounced in Canada as they are in the States, make no mistake that divisions do exist. Here in

When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission started to communicate and share the truths of the Indian Residential Schools in Canada, many were faced with new information, and the challenge to integrate that information into their worldview of what is Canada. We tend to have a positive worldview of the good in Canada, and the impact

As the leaves change colour and most people are stuffed with turkey, I am hopeful for coming winter months, the promise that a new year brings and the opportunity for renewal. But before we get there, we must cross the most contentious time of year – a time not of innocence, but where casual racism

When it comes to the world of fashion, there are countless examples of cultural appropriation ranging from those that profit off of tired stereotypes and the suffering of Indigenous people to others that straight up steal the work of Indigenous artists. Don’t believe me? Go ahead a google ‘appropriation and DSquared’ or ‘appropriation and KTZ’.

September is here and in cities across Canada many parents are picking up last minute supplies and clothing for the kids to go back to school. While their thoughts turn to homework assistance and lunch prep, I wonder how many of these parents worry if their kids will make it home from school alive. This

Based on a speech given by Rose LeMay, at the public launch of the IRG. As many political and policy wonks did, I watched Barack Obama’s televised speech in Montreal last month.  I thought about the timing of his speech just weeks ahead of Canada150, and I thanked the Grandfathers for Obama’s leadership.  We need

By Destine Lord, IRG director and proud Canadian of Afro-Caribbean descent There is no doubt that Julie Payette is an impressive woman with even more impressive credentials. She is an astronaut, computer engineer, and pilot. In her spare time, she’s an accomplished pianist and choral singer who just happens to speak six languages. To say