Let’s make Canada Day a more meaningful and inclusive day for all Canadians—one that acknowledges the past, respects the present, and works toward a more just and equitable future for Indigenous peoples.

We have gathered some information and resources to help acknowledge Canada’s ongoing issues and work towards a better future together.

Read BGC Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commitment Statement

ACTIONS

• Read the TRC’s Calls to Action
• Learn about different perspectives of Canada Day
• Wear an orange shirt in memory of the children who did not survive residential schools
• Donate to an Indigenous organization
  • Indian Residential School Survivors Society
  • Legacy of Hope Foundation
  • First Nations Child & Family Caring Society
  • Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund
  • Reconciliation Canada
• Talk to your children about residential schools
  • IndigiNews resources
• Read a book or watch a film about one of the many Indigenous cultures on Turtle Island
  • Secret Path (Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund)
  • Indigenous Cinema (NFB)
  • Indigenous Storybooks
  • #IndigenousReads (Government of Canada)
  • Indigenous Storytellers: Podcasts (University of Toronto)
• Learn about the Indigenous peoples whose land you live on
  • Whose Land
  • Native Land
• Incorporate a land acknowledgement into your event
• Fly the Indigenous Canada flag, designed by Mulidzas-Curtis Wilson

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

• 4Rs Youth Movement
• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
• Personal acts of Reconciliation (CBC)
• Indigenous Ally toolkit (Montreal Urban Aboriginal Community Strategy Network)
• Two-spirit and Indigenous Queer Studies (University of British Columbia)
• National Indian Residential School 24-hour crisis line: 1-866-925-4419

EDUCATION

• Indigenous Canada (University of Alberta)
• nisitohtamowin ᓂᓯᑐᐦᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ An Introduction to Understanding Indigenous Perspectives in Canada (First Nations University of Canada)

By Owen Charters, President & CEO, BGC Canada

June 13, 2023

Not too long ago, we shared some style guides with our BGC Canada staff that discussed using language in more appropriate, inclusive ways in different situations and to recognize various populations.

Language is always evolving, and despite some areas where it seems to devolve (the use of emojis, perhaps?), it’s usually a progressive thing. 

As BGC Canada is a social service provider and needs to be in sync with the populations and causes we serve and support, we need to be aware of the language we use. We need to be progressive. We want to ensure we are following best practices and appropriately reflecting or representing the populations and issues we’re talking about.

In my previous work with kids with disabilities, we were trained early on to use language that was enabling. One of the most frustrating lines that often appears in the media is “She was confined to a wheelchair.” People in wheelchairs are not confined. It’s quite the opposite; the wheelchair offers them mobility and capacity for independence—it is not a confining device. 

People with disabilities do not want to be ‘disabled people’—they are people first, not disabled first. So “people with disabilities” is greatly preferred. And some are increasingly asked to be noted as ‘differently-abled’—because, it turns out, we ALL have some form of disability. I wear glasses and can’t see without them. Some people have asthma and can’t do certain athletic activities without an inhaler. So why do we differentiate those that are “obviously” disabled from those who might seem less so? 

That’s why inclusive style guides are important. 

Language is important and should be enabling, not belittling. It’s easy to fall into bad habits—doctors are infamous for this: “Did you get to see the diabetic in exam room 1? I just spoke with the broken leg in 2.” The language completely removes the person and undermines the respect for the individuals who are the patients—whole people who have needs and lives beyond their injury or disease. 

Since one of our core values is ‘Respect: We ensure that everyone is heard, valued, and treated fairly,’ we need to ensure we use language that shows that respect.

If you’re looking for inclusive style guides, I recommend:

• A Progressive’s Style Guide – Sum Of Us
• Style Guide for Reporting on Indigenous People – Journalists for Human Rights 
• Two Spirits, One Voice – Egale 
• Why we decided to capitalize Black, Aboriginal and Indigenous – TVO 
• Training and Workshops from The Canadian Centre for Gender + Sexual Diversity 

Read more:  

• BGC Canada’s commitment to Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation
• BGC Canada’s Statement on Racism and Discrimination 
• Celebrating Pride at BGC Clubs

Published on September 29 from National Association of Friendship Centres

BGC Canada and NAFC sign MOU to advance reconciliation and support youth ahead of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

OTTAWA – BGC Canada (formerly the Boys and Girls Club of Canada) and the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to work towards advancing reconciliation and opportunities for partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth across the country.
Through the memorandum, both organizations commit to joint advocacy, sharing tools and training, and facilitating opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth to learn from each other and work together to be drivers of reconciliation in their communities. BGC Canada and the NAFC will work together with their member-based network of local Clubs and Friendship Centres in expanding Truth and Reconciliation activities, including, but not limited to, engagement on youth capacity and employment, the rights of children, women in the economy, and summer programming.

The signing comes in advance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and responds directly to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Call to Action #66. TRC Call to Action #66 calls upon the federal government to establish multi-year funding for community-based youth organizations to deliver programs on reconciliation and establish a national network to share information and best practices.

“As a previous Youth Council member in the Friendship Centre Movement, I understand firsthand the value of youth programming and the difference it makes in the lives of youth. Ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the NAFC continues to support actions to recommit ourselves, governments and partners to uphold the rights of urban Indigenous children and youth across the country. This partnership will support both our Youth Councils in learning from each other to increase respect, understanding and reciprocity between urban Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. The NAFC and our network of Friendship Centres are on the front line with urban Indigenous Youth across the country, constantly working to build capacity, leadership and provide mentorship through youth-driven programs, job training, and related wraparound supports. We are optimistic to partner with BGC Canada to support youth and advocate for a brighter future.” – Jocelyn Formsma, Executive Director, NAFC

“BGC Clubs across the country are proud to partner with the NAFC to advance reconciliation and create opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth alike. Our Clubs have committed
to creating equitable spaces for Indigenous staff, children, and youth, and to ending systemic inequities faced by Indigenous communities.” – Owen Charters, President & CEO, BGC Canada

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Bridget Bowman Communications, Policy and Research Manager, NAFC
bbowman@nafc.ca

The National Association of Friendship Centres is a national network of Indigenous-owned and operated civil society, not-for-profit, and service delivery organizations across Canada. The NAFC was established in 1972 to represent a growing number of Friendship Centres at the national level. Acting as a unifying body for the Friendship Centre Movement (FCM), the NAFC represents a network of over 100 Friendship Centres and Provincial-Territorial Associations across Canada.

With the influx of Indigenous urbanization beginning in the mid-1950s, Friendship Centres emerged out of a clear need for culturally grounded services to support Indigenous newcomers to the city. With the increased demand for services for urban First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, the number of Friendship Centres increased and the nature of their programming and services expanded. With a vast majority of Canada’s Indigenous population living in urban environments, Friendship Centres fill an essential gap in service provisions, as one of the few organizations directly catering to urban Indigenous needs in a status-inclusive model.

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Mary O’Connell Director, Marketing & Communications, BGC Canada
moconnell@bgccan.com
For 120+ years, BGC Canada has been creating opportunities for millions of Canadian kids and teens. As Canada’s largest child and youth serving charitable and community services organization, our Clubs open their doors to young people of all ages and their families at 736 locations nationwide. During out-of-school hours in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities, our trained staff and volunteers provide programs and services that help young people realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, job readiness, mental wellness, social development, leadership, and more. Opportunity changes everything. Learn more at bgccan.com and follow us on social media @BGCCAN.