Food bank hosts workshop on reconciliation

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on September 28, 2024.

A workshop exploring how to better understand Truth and Reconciliation was held on Thursday at the Interfaith Food Bank.

Cindy Rendall, owner of Untethered Heart Counselling and an instructor at Red Crow College, facilitated the workshop. The workshop was also funded by Reconciliation Lethbridge.

In the workshop participants explored the history of racism against Indigenous people, how residential and the sixties scoop affects Indigenous people and how non-Indigenous people can be a better ally to Indigenous people.

Reconciliation Starts with You began four years ago, when Reconciliation Lethbridge saw a need for non-Indigenous people to learn how to step up in their roles of reconciliation.

Rendall says she’s always impressed with how willing people are to learn about reconciliation.

“The participants (who) come really want to learn and are open to learn and are like ‘I know should and can do better’ and so there’s always good discussions in the small group discussions and then in the larger groups as well,” said Rendall.

One of the key points of reconciliation Rendall believes in is allowing our hearts to break when we hear about the impact colonialism has on Indigenous people to allow ourselves the compassion to help where we need to.

“How do we let that break our heart and be with that? So, then we can be helpful in making a change in our world,” said Rendall.

For Rendall, each year the workshop looks a little different has her knowledge and understanding of reconciliation expands.

“My own individual learning goes into the content that I share, so it’s always getting adapted and refined,” said Rendall.

There will be an Orange Shirt Awareness Walk on Sunday hosted by Reconciliation Lethbridge to close out Truth and Reconciliation Week. Participants will meet at the library’s main branch downtown at 11 and make their way to Galt Gardens.

More information on events from Reconciliation Lethbridge can be found on their Facebook page.