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Shining a light on Indigenous art, culture and history on National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

Sep 29, 2021

This past June, the federal government passed legislation to make September 30th a statutory holiday known as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation; a day to commemorate those who died, survived and those still being impacted today by the tragic legacy left behind by Canada’s history with the residential school system. This day highlights how we all play a role in achieving reconciliation and mending the bonds broken between communities.

As part of our commitment to understanding Indigenous culture and history, along with amplifying Indigenous voices today and beyond, we’ve recently partnered with our Indigenous Peoples Network – a valued employee resource group who engages, inspires, and supports Indigenous employees and allies – to launch a curated Truth & Reconciliation destination on Ignite TV, highlighting First Nations art, culture and history.

This curation features notable movies, TV shows, plus a list of prominent First Nations musicians like Robbie Robertson, Buffy Sainte Marie and Tom Jackson.

Customers can access the collection through their Ignite TV remotes, using the voice commands “Truth and Reconciliation” and “Truth About Reconciliation.”

Take a look at some of the featured content here:

  • Indian Horse (Movie) – Available on Netflix,Crave+Movies+HBO and Hollywood Suite: An adaptation of Ojibway writer Richard Wagamese’s award-winning novel, this moving and important drama sheds light on the dark history of Canada’s boarding schools or Indigenous Residential Schools and the indomitable spirit of aboriginal people.
  • Through Black Spruce (Movie) – Available on Tubi: The disappearance of a young Cree woman in Toronto traumatizes her Northern Ontario family and sends her twin sister on a journey south to find her.
  • Luna: Spirit of the Whale (Movie) – Available on Tubi: When the government attempts to transport an orca whale across Canada to join his pod, a First Nation tribe who believe the whale embodies the spirit of their dead leader fight to keep him.
  • Rumble: Indians Who Rocked The World (Documentary) – Available to rent On Demand : Filmmaker Catherine Bainbridge examines the role of Native Americans in contemporary music history. She exposes a critical missing chapter, revealing how Indigenous musicians helped influence popular culture.

Let’s push for real change by taking action and educating ourselves. Here are 6 ways you can make an impact and become an ally to Indigenous communities:

  1. Read/watch Senator Murray Sinclair’s Facebook post
  2. Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action and choose one of them to act on
  3. Read/watch the stories of TRC survivors and really listen to their words
  4. Listen/watch as survivor Geronimo Henry recalls his experience at the Mohawk Institute Residential School
  5. Watch Stolen Children: Residential School Survivors Speak Out
  6. Take what you’ve learned and write to your MP to advocate for change