Acts of Truth and Reconciliation: Honouring Indigenous Identity
A Radiance caseworker recently shared the experience of one of the women in shelter who received bundles of prairie sage as an unexpected gift. It allowed the woman to maintain a regular connection with an important and sacred practice. For the woman, it was more than an acknowledgment of her Indigenous identity. It was an affirmation of belonging. It held responsibility.
That quiet act of cultural resurgence was healing and powerful. It reminds us of what it truly means for shelter to be a place of belonging. At Radiance, we have learned that reconciliation lives in the everyday spaces of care, relationship, and listening. Genuine reconciliation is not a single act or event; it is an ongoing process that calls on all communities to learn, engage, and act with accountability.
Learning and Reflecting on True History
Reconciliation begins with truth. Learning the real history of this land and listening to the stories of Residential School Survivors, as well as their families and communities, is an important first step. These stories must be honoured, not only to acknowledge the children who never returned home but to also recognize the resilience of Survivors and the ongoing intergenerational impacts of this history. Our responsibility is to ensure that these truths are neither forgotten nor ignored.
Violence Experienced by Indigenous Women and Girls
Today, Indigenous women and girls continue to face disproportionate levels of violence.1 While underreporting of violence against women is shaped by many factors, the barriers for Indigenous women are even greater. The lasting effects of colonial attitudes has introduced systemic bias and imposed policies and legal structures that disrupted traditional Indigenous systems of governance and community safety.2 Added to this are place-based inequity and the ongoing effects of stigma, which impacts access to relevant health and social supports.3 Together, these barriers make it even harder for Indigenous women to come forward and report violence.
Walking Together in Healing and Reconciliation
We believe in creating a future where all women, families, and communities can thrive. This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Radiance will offer meaningful opportunities for staff to learn and reflect— both through experiential activities and classroom settings. Our commitment to reconciliation is ongoing, guided by collaboration with Indigenous communities and Elders who hold ethical spaces for us to listen, learn, and act in solidarity. These partnerships shape how we support Indigenous families and advocate for systemic change.
Every act of support helps another family to find safety, dignity and independence in ways that reflect their culture and identity. Learn how your support can make a difference. Contact us at philanthropy@radiancesociety.ca
Final Notes and Resources
This material may trigger unpleasant feelings or thoughts of past abuse. If you or someone you know needs emotional support, please contact:
Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310 (available 24/7)
The National Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419 (available 24/7)
1 https://afn.ca/rights-justice/murdered-missing-indigenous-women-girls/
2 https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Final_Report_Vol_1a-1.pdf
3 Research refers to place-based inequity as “geographic and social isolation.” See Journal of Family Violence, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-025-00940-y