Another year has come and gone, and it is now the second year honouring day for Truth and Reconciliation. Nationalizing the holiday was the call to action #80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada with September 30th designed as “a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process” (Click here for the total 94 calls to action).
We believe that part of reconciliation is coming together and merging best practises of both indigenous and non-indigenous people. Coming together means we have an amazing opportunity to reject what hasn’t worked in the past to create a new way in true partnership, together. To us that includes being
- Good stewards of our land
- Looking forward and making business decisions for not just our generation, but for the next 7 generations ahead
- Creating win/win partnerships with indigenous and non-indigenous communities
With support from the shíshálh Nation, Salish Soils was able to open its doors in 2010 welcoming both indigenous and non-indigenous people on shíshálh land to recycle their waste sustainably. Since then, Salish Soils has expanded significantly and we are proud to say that waste from all 4 communities on the Sunshine Coast comes to our facility to be transformed into high quality compost.
When ALL people are included at the table and given the chance to achieve their full potential, that is when healing begins and relationships between everyone is strengthened.
To honour this day, we have chosen to close our business to be able to give our staff and community members the time to remember and reflect on our past and choose a path forward. By confronting our past and coming to face the harsh realities of our history, our hope is that we will be more present and available to move forward together as one community.
Respectfully,
Salish Soils
**Reminder there are multiple events going on hosted by the syiyaya Reconciliation Movement starting at 10 AM at the Residential School monument in ch’atlich Sechelt (behind Raven’s Cry Theatre at 5555 Sunshine Coast Highway). 