National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a federal holiday observed every year on September 30. On this day we honour and commemorate victims, Survivors, and communities impacted by the residential school system that violently separated Indigenous children from their families and communities, aimed to erase their unique cultures and identities, and ultimately resulted in the deaths of over 4,000 children [1].

True reconciliation is not a one-day commitment. It requires ongoing learning, reflection, and action. At CanadaHelps, we are committed to continuing this work year round. Whether it’s creating opportunities for our team to learn and participate, supporting and platforming Indigenous-led organizations, or incorporating reconciliation into our organizational practices.

Here are some of the ways CanadaHelps is supporting Truth and Reconciliation year-round.

Creating Opportunities for Staff Learning and Participation

Learning is a key pillar of Truth and Reconciliation. Each year, we hold annual, staff-wide Truth and Reconciliation programming. This year’s session was led by an external Indigenous facilitator who was able to bring personal perspective and connection to the teachings.
CanadaHelps will also be hosting in-person programming on September 30, while developing a resource guide for staff participation, participating in the Walk for Wenjack, and encouraging donations to Indigenous-led organizations with a staff donation match incentive.

Supporting Indigenous-led Organizations Through Cause Funds

As a charitable donation platform, CanadaHelps has the unique opportunity to connect donors with charities doing important work in Indigenous communities. We currently host two Indigenous-led Cause Funds.

The Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Fund, curated by Wanda Brascoupé features over 30 Indigenous charities including Bent Arrow, The Legacy of Hope Foundation, and The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. Donations to this cause fund help heal the physical and emotional trauma of colonialism and residential schools, rebuild traditional language and culture, and offer service and support founded in Indigenous knowledge to those who need it. To date, the fund has raised over $2,000,000.

The Indigenous Culture and Language Resurgence in the Canadian North Fund was created in partnership with MakeWay. Donations help support projects led by Northern Indigenous communities to reclaim cultures, revitalize languages, and develop culturally relevant solutions to unique Northern challenges. To date, this fund has raised over $100,000.

Together, these funds highlight Indigenous-focused causes and give donors the opportunity to support multiple projects and Indigenous-based organizations with a single donation.

Supporting Indigenous-owned Businesses

Our commitment to reconciliation extends to our operational spending practices.

At CanadaHelps, we consider Indigenous owned businesses as preferred vendors for operational spending from merchandise to services and beyond.

Supporting Indigenous businesses is another way to incorporate reconciliation into our everyday organizational practices. It allows us to directly support Indigenous entrepreneurs and practice reconciliation outside of charitable giving.

Incorporating Reconciliation Into our Financial Practices

In our quest to implement reconciliation into our everyday organizational practices, we have recently implemented a new gifts of securities policy.

Under this policy, dividends accrued while a donated security is in the possession of CanadaHelps are redirected to the Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Fund or another Indigenous charity of our choice, at our discretion each fiscal year.

This policy creates another avenue for CanadaHelps to direct resources to Indigenous-focused charities.

Prioritizing Indigenous Leadership and Community-led Solutions

At CanadaHelps we aim to keep Indigenous voices at the centre of topics related to Indigenous communities.

In practice, this looks like consulting Indigenous partners and prioritizing Indigenous leadership to drive community-led solutions. We recognize the importance of centering these perspectives when developing initiatives and content related to Indigenous communities.

This approach helps ensure the work accurately reflects the experiences of the communities we are intending to support.

Looking Ahead

Truth and reconciliation is an ongoing practice that requires continuous reflection, action, and commitment. As CanadaHelps grows, we remain dedicated to listening, learning, and supporting Indigenous-led organizations and communities every day of the year.

To learn more about Truth and Reconciliation and the official calls to action, you can read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action.

References
[1] Indian Residential Schools – The Government of Ontario