INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
The Great Lakes Networking Society of BC carries its work that is built upon the understanding and recognition that what is now known as Vancouver is located on the traditional, unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, who have lived throughout the region for thousands, thousands, thousands and thousands of years. Their ancient continuity on these lands is reflected in their oral histories, arts and cultural practices, and deep relationships with the lands, waters, and in the archaeological record.
One of the recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is that the information kit for newcomers be revised “to reflect a more inclusive history of the diverse Indigenous peoples of Canada including information about the Treaties and the history of residential schools” (TRC, 2015, p.10). In July 2017, CFN held the official launch celebration of the Indigenous Education for Newcomers program.
Each Nation share to affirm the importance of Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh visibility and voice in the work of building better relationships and futures on their lands. We work locally and collaborate regionally and globally with like-minded Humanitarian and environmental organizations. We as well pay our respects to the Elders, past and present, descendants, and custodians of these lands. We listen to stories that are always unique, people we meet, live the lives they live because that would be the only safest for them, we mind inclusiveness, connecting, engaging and creating safer spaces, respected and helping them for their voices to be heard.
We have developed Indigenous Education for Newcomers program at the Great Lakes Society BC, creating opportunities and activities, including dialogue circles, drumming, and storytelling, to bring immigrants, newcomers, and indigenous participants together, promoting conversion, to honor the past, present and the future historical and cultural perspectives; to holistically build bridges, collaboratively.
With heavy hearts we express our deepest sadness to the families both directly and indirectly that greave for the loss of there children due to residential schools.
May justice prevail.
We hear you.
We weep with you.
We heal with you.
Respect for culture
Indigenous peoples, also known as first peoples, aboriginal peoples or native peoples, are ethnic groups who are the original inhabitants of a given region, in contrast to groups that have settled, occupied or colonised the area more recently. People in Canada and global Indigenous peoples including African descendants. Indigenous Peoples are culturally distinct societies 
and communities, although they make up 5% of the global population, they account for about 15% of the extreme poor, they are culturally distinct societies and communities Canada! In Canada, the term Indigenous person (or Aboriginal peoples) refers to First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. These are the original inhabitants of the land that is now Canada. In 2011, more than 1.4 million people in Canada are identified as Indigenous, though severely threatened and in certain cases extinguished by colonial forces, Indigenous culture, language, and social systems have shaped the development of Canada, and continue to grow and thrive despite extreme adversity. Indigenous populations are communities that live within, or are attached to, geographically distinct traditional habitats or ancestral territories, and who identify themselves as being part of a distinct cultural group, descended from groups present in the area before modern states and current borders were created
Indigenous (also referred to as aboriginal peoples) have been in Canada since time immemorial. They formed complex social, political, economic and cultural systems before Europeans came to North America. There are three categories of Indigenous peoples in Canada: Inuit, Metis and First Nations. The Inuit primarily inhabit the northern regions of Canada, their homeland, known as Inuit Nunangat that includes much of the land, water, and ice contained in the Arctic region. Métis peoples are of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry and live mostly in the Prairie Provinces and Ontario, but also in other parts of the country. First Nations peoples were the original inhabitants of the land that is now Canada, often occupying territories south of the Arctic.
Education and understanding towards Reconciliation
This is a unique, participatory history lesson, developed in collaboration with educators, with support from indigenous knowledge keepers, and Elders, to foster the truth, understanding, and respect towards reconciliation among indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. There are participants who do not seem to understand or want to acknowledge what they hear in some of our education sessions. How Non-Indigenous activists support Indigenous People by education themselves and others. This is the focus of Great Lakes Networking Society of BC, working with Indigenous Peoples, indigenous organizations, and educational institutes to educate other Non-Indigenous peoples, through dialogue, conferences and workshops, organized by the indigenous peoples who seat on our Board as Board Members.
Stephen Lytton (Co-CEO of Great Lakes Society) recipient of Governor General Caring Award, Kombii Nanjalah (CEO of Great Lakes), Diana Day from Pacific Association of First Nations. It’s difficult to know where to jump into supporting or working with Indigenous People as activists/ as a community. To help those still in the infancy of their journey to being an ally to Indigenous people, we took the following steps: some of us African people still feel like we are just existing, not living, until we establish that we are completely comfortable in our skin and we need as well to be accepted as a people. Most of the education system in the U.S. and Canada does an abysmal job of education students about Indigenous people, not anything about residential schools, losing their culture, language, nor the African transatlantic slave trade, unless you have made a concerted effort to educate yourself, chances are that you have some inaccurate or stereotypical misconceptions about Indigenous and or People of African Descent’s history, struggle, endurance and the contributions to their nations. We encourage to take the first step in supporting us by educating yourself. Start by learning about the area where you live. Who lived there before colonization? What happened to them? How was the land you lived on appropriated by the settler state? Find out about Indigenous people who live in you area today remembering that over half of Indigenous presence near you, find out what historical processed led to that (removal, warfare, and relocation are some starting points).
Educate yourself as well about the larger history of what happened to Indigenous people in North America and what life is like for them today. This includes everything from the real history of Thanksgiving, its legacy to the effects of boarding and residential schools to the modern-day removal of Indigenous children from their homes, the Slave Trade, present poverty, mental health issues, addiction, homelessness, police brutality, youth and the law. We encourage that people should take care to look everywhere for Indigenous resistance, their story is not just one of tragedy and victimhood but also one in which we have agency. Once we’ve educated ourselves, we can then use our new knowledge to educate other non-Indigenous people about what we’ve learned. It is important to take care not to speak over Indigenous people, but we can encourage others to listen to Indigenous voices and to educate themselves as well.
Stephen Lytton speaking about reconciliation and leadership.
Separate Journeys, Similar Path: Truth and Reconciliation in Canada and South Africa
Department of Justice Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/departmentjustice/news/2017/04/separate_journeyssimilarpathtruthandreconciliationincanadaandsou0.html. In closing, let me say this. Like the many inspiring South Africans, I have met during my journey, I am optimistic by nature. And I am convinced that our two great countries will continue to see that better is always possible. When Madiba received his honorary Canadian citizenship, he told our Parliament that in the world in which we all now live, the rich and poor, strong and weak, are all bound by a common destiny that decrees that none shall enjoy lasting prosperity and stability unless all others do as well. Prophetic words indeed. Whether as the Indigenous minority population in Canada or the majority Black population here in South Africa, it is how we treat others and seek equality that is the true measure of our humanity. That is the message of the reconciliation-the message of transformation. It is the message of South Africa. I believe it is the message of Canada. It is our collective message.