.png)
Allyship in Action: Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Lavender Library Press Edition
- Lavender Library Press
- Mar 22
- 3 min read
Allyship is like an ongoing Social Studies homework assignment in Canada.
Allyship is active.
Allyship is ongoing.
Allyship is challenging.
Allyship is practicing empathy and taking accountability.
Allyship is learning, unlearning, and committing to daily action in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples, Métis, and Inuit Peoples across Turtle Island, even/especially when it is uncomfortable or difficult.
Allyship is all truthful.
Allyship is transparent.
Allyship is not for the weak-hearted, nor the weak-minded.
Allyship is learning, unlearning, learning, unlearning, and learning and unlearning.
Allyship is acting in solidarity with Mother Earth, and with responsibility to the Next Seven Generations.
Allyship is complex and emotional.
Allyship is not a label or identity. It is ACTION. Here is a list of actions to practice allyship:
Listen intentionally to Indigenous voices, stories, and lived experiences without defensiveness or interruption.
Acknowledge truth by learning the full history, including perspectives that have historically been excluded or marginalized, and the ongoing impacts of colonization, not only in Canada, but particularly and especially in Canada, including residential schools and ongoing systemic inequities.
Take responsibility for the benefits received from colonial systems, even if we did not create them
Respect the lived experience of Indigenous Peoples and recognize that they have had over 10 000 years of surviving and thriving on these lands long before contact with colonizers.
Act with intention by challenging racism, stereotypes, and injustice in our communities, public spaces and institutions
Ensure unconditional solidarity by keeping biases and reasons for gatekeeping to yourself. Do not stand beside them one day but not another because of a disagreement or miscommunication.
Support Indigenous self-determination, leadership, and sovereignty rather than speaking over or for others.
Never assume anything. Saviour syndrome, defensiveness, protective selves, entitlement, etc. all need to be left behind in order to effectively listen and support.
Stay accountable by accepting feedback, making mistakes, and continuing the work without seeking praise or recognition
Furthermore, particularly in Canada, allyship must be grounded in the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and its Calls to Action.
This means committing to:
Learning the truth about residential schools, colonization, and their ongoing impacts (not just historically, but today, too)
Integrating Indigenous perspectives authentically in education and institutions, rather than treating them as add-ons or “special topics”
Honouring Indigenous ways of knowing and principles of learning, including oral storytelling, land-based learning, and community knowledge
Supporting language, culture, and identity revitalization in meaningful and respectful ways (learn an Indigenous language, support an Indigenous business, etc.)
Taking action in everyday spaces (classrooms, workplaces, and local communities) to challenge racism and uphold human rights
Apologizing, acknowledging and articulating that oppression and discrimination exists on Turtle Island and across the world due to colonial systems and mindsets
Sharing knowledge and collaborating to create more allyship (not being afraid to share what you have learned and being proud to credit where you learned it from)
Recognizing that reconciliation is ongoing and requires consistent effort, not one-time gestures
Allyship is not performative. It requires discomfort, humility, and sustained effort.
It is not about “helping” Indigenous peoples. It is about standing beside them, respecting their leadership, and working toward meaningful change to protect the Next Seven Generations.
*If you like this allyship framework, please feel free to get your own copy on my free resources page. https://www.lavenderlibrarypress.ca/freelbgtqandsafespaceresources
$50
Product Title
Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button. Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button
$40
Product Title
Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button. Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button
$50
Product Title
Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button. Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button.
$50
Product Title
Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button. Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button.
Comments