Truth and Reconciliation Day: Reflection, Responsibility, and Action

Estimated read time: 4 to 5 minutes

Honouring the Day, Taking Responsibility

September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is a solemn opportunity to remember the Survivors of residential schools, the families affected, and the children who never returned home. It is also a time for all of us to reflect on our responsibilities.

Reconciliation requires non-Indigenous Canadians to take ownership: to educate themselves, to sit with the truth of history, and to take meaningful steps toward repair and justice.

At Axioma, we believe this means moving beyond symbolism. Reflection is important, but action is essential.

Where to Begin: Educating Ourselves

For non-Indigenous Canadians asking “What can I do?”, a good starting point is education. CBC’s Beyond 94 is an accessible resource that tracks the progress of each Call to Action and provides clear pathways for learning and accountability. Explore Beyond 94 here.

Education is only the beginning. It must lead to reflection, dialogue, and a commitment to change how we live and work.

How Our Current Work Supports Reconciliation

We are working towards developing a formal grant-writing mentorship program, but until then our day-to-day work directly supports several of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Through our partnerships with Indigenous Nations and non-profits, we:

• Support Calls to Action #7 and #12 (Education and Culturally Appropriate Programming): By securing funding for Indigenous-led education, youth programming, and cultural revitalization projects .

• Advance Calls to Action #20 and #21 (Health and Economic Development): By helping communities access funding for healthcare services, housing, food sovereignty, and economic resilience .

• Contribute to Call to Action #57 (Public Service Training and Capacity-Building): By strengthening governance, reporting, and long-term planning frameworks .

In practice, this means Indigenous communities are not only accessing millions in funding but also building stronger systems to manage and sustain that funding. As one partner described, our work is “relational, respectful, and results-driven.”

Moving Forward Together

Reconciliation is a journey, not a single day. On September 30, we honour Survivors and remember the children lost. But we also recommit ourselves to action: ensuring that reconciliation lives in our choices, our policies, and our partnerships.

At Axioma, we will continue to align our work with the Calls to Action, supporting communities as they pursue their self-determined goals in health, education, culture, and economic development.

We invite you to join us by learning, reflecting, and asking:

What responsibility will I take in reconciliation, today and every day?