Content/Trigger Warning:   
This post explores topics of systemic racism in philanthropy, including colonialism and anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism. For culturally safe and accessible resources for Indigenous peoples, available 24 hours a day, please visit: First Nations Health Authority –Mental Health and Wellness.  For culturally safe and trauma-informed support for Black peoples, visit  Black Mental Health Canada. 

-- 

Vancity Community Foundation operates on the lands of many Indigenous Nations. We bring our hearts and minds together and acknowledge the territories of these Nations. Our office, 312 Main, is located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔ /Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. 

-- 

As we approach September 30th, which is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we invite settlers and non-Indigenous Canadians to join us in taking reconcilACTION by participating in the One Day’s Pay campaign.   

The One Day’s Pay campaign started in 2021 on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The campaign was created by a small group of friends and colleagues who felt conflicted that Canadians were being asked to reflect on September 30th – and in many cases getting a paid day off – rather than taking more concrete actions towards Truth and Reconciliation.  

“I think a lot of settlers at this point are starting to think about these issues. They are asking questions like how can I help, what can I do? How can I take action? That’s the same place that I came from, not knowing what I can do personally.” - Josh Hensman, co-founder of One Day’s Pay  

The One Day’s Pay campaign encourages settlers and non-Indigenous Canadians who receive a paid day off to use that day to take action towards Truth and Reconciliation by engaging more deeply and considering giving one day’s pay to an Indigenous-led organization. Indigenous people comprise approximately 4.9% of the population, yet Indigenous groups receive just over half a percent (0.07%) of gifted funds, or $1 for every $138 given to non-Indigenous groups (Canadian Charity Law Report, 2022). 

One Day’s Pay is guided by The Circle on Philanthropy, an Indigenous women-led organization that works to reorient settler philanthropy towards equity and justice and to mobilize funding to Indigenous-led projects, movements, organizations and Nations. You can learn more about the One Day's Pay campaign in this video. 

Engage More Deeply 

You may choose to engage more deeply by reflecting and learning about an Indigenous-led organization in your region to support. The Circle on Philanthropy has created this Guide to Deeper Engagement, which includes reflection questions and guidance to identify an Indigenous-led organization in your area, as well as conversation starters and resources. The guide also includes information and resources about the word “settler” and its meaning.  

Donate to an Indigenous Organization 

“When I think about who I would like to see give, folks who have barbeques on Canada Day, and folks who love their hockey team. I’m talking about folks who take pride in being Canadian because I want their pride to mean more.” - Kris Archie, CEO of The Circle on Philanthropy 

Consider donating directly to one of the four organizations that One Day’s Pay is profiling throughout their campaign:   

• Ikaarvik creates opportunities that allow Northern Indigenous youth to empower themselves for self-determination in Arctic research and decision making, bridging research and communities, Indigenous Knowledge and Western science. 

• Qqs Projects Society supports Heiltsuk youth, culture and environment as a charitable non-profit located in Bella Bella, BC - the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. Their programs range from the community of Bella Bella throughout Heiltsuk territory, spanning the social, cultural and natural values and customs that have strengthened their people since the time of Creation. 

• Women of First Light  is a non-profit group led by Indigenous women from Wabanaki Territory. Their purpose is to heal their communities, families and society by remembering and returning to the traditional ways of their ancestors.  

• The Orange Shirt Society supports Indian Residential School Reconciliation, creates awareness of the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of Indian Residential Schools through Orange Shirt Society activities and creates awareness of the concept "Every Child Matters".  

Vancity Community Foundation’s support for the One Day’s Pay campaign is one way we have enacted our ongoing commitment to decolonizing wealth. VCF has made a donation of $20,000, which is equivalent to one day’s operating pay to Qqs Projects Society. Settler staff and Board Members who can give are participating in solidarity.  

Furthering ReconciliACTION 

There is an abundance of resources available to begin or to further your own learning, and many opportunities  to take ‘Reconcili-action’.   

 

Things you can do now to honour your commitment to Reconciliation: 

• Read the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the 231 Calls to Justice by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. 

• Develop or practice a relational introduction of yourself and write your lens statement that shares the perspective and lived experience you bring to your work (you can learn more about lens statements here and here). 

• Use your voice and energy to call for clean drinking water in Indigenous communities, by taking a moment to complete this action asking the Prime Minister to end drinking water advisories in First Nations. 

• Review the Philanthropic Community’s Declaration of Action, which VCF is a signatory of. 

 

Ways to further your learning and understanding: 

• The Circle on Philanthropy’s Guide to Deeper Engagement  

• On Canada Project's Settlers Take Action  

• Orange Shirt Day Society - Resources (orangeshirtday.org)  

• 150 Acts of Reconciliation for the Last 150 Days of Canada’s 150 – Active History  

• Visit the Feast House, a robust directory of Indigenous led organizations that you can donate to 

• Learn more about where you live. The First Peoples’ Map can be used to view Indigenous language regions, artists and artworks, place names and community landmarks. You can hear the pronunciation of language names, greetings, places and more.   

• Deepen your understanding of the residential school system and its legacy – an essential part of Reconciliation. You can do so by exploring resources like: 

  • UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre 

  • Royal BC Museum learning portal: Residential Schools and Reconciliation 

  • The Orange Path (Resources for workplaces)  

 

Ways to support Indigenous arts and businesses: 

• Read a book written by an Indigenous author (here are some suggestions), from Massy Books, a local Indigenous-owned and operated bookstore 

• Explore Indigenous music artists, like A Tribe Called Red, DJ Shub, Jeremy Dutcher, Cris Derksen and Robbie Robertson. 

• Watch an Indigenous film, like these from the National Film Board, or check out Monkey Beach, Reservation Dogs, Rutherford Falls and Smoke Signals. 

• Shop at, donate to or learn more about an Indigenous-owned business, social enterprise, non-profit or charity in your community. Visit Strong Nation’s site to find Indigenous books and gifts that can be shipped world wide.  

 

Events to attend:

You may also consider attending an event honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We encourage you to look for events happening in your community, or attend one of the following: 

• The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting a series of Lunch and Learns that are free and open to the public from September 23-27 on a variety of topics.

• The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre is hosting a 2024 Intergenerational March to commemorate Orange Shirt Day on September 30 from 12-3pm.

• Arts Umbrella is hosting a program of pay-what-you-can events on September 30 led by Indigenous artists and knowledge keepers at their Granville Island location.

• Britannia Community Services Centre is hosting a Friendship Walk and Gathering at Grandview Park on September 30 from 9:30am-2pm.

• The 3rd annual South Island Powwow will be happening on September 30 at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria.

• Join First Nations Artist, Christine Mackenzie, for a free public community event on September 30 at Place des Arts in Coquitlam.

• The Museum of North Vancouver will be offering free programming throughout the day on September 30 for families to learn from together.

• New Westminster Museum is open on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to provide the community an opportunity to engage with their feature exhibition, "Downstream Where the Waters Mix".

• Greendale Acres in Chilliwack is hosting events on September 30, including a bannock sale and sharing of culture.

• Wilma's Transition Society's annual Truth and Reconciliation Day community event in Chilliwack is back.