‘Fundamental reckoning with past injustices’

True Reconciliation: How to be a Force for Change
by Jody Wilson-Raybould

Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 2024 (paperback release)
$22  /  9780771004407

Reviewed by Amy Tucker

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Jody Wilson-Raybould‘s True Reconciliation provides a compelling guide for Canadians on their roles in reconciliation. Through her structured framework—learning, understanding, and acting—Wilson-Raybould offers a comprehensive approach for Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers to engage with the ongoing journey towards justice for Indigenous communities. Her work emphasizes that reconciliation is not merely a policy or symbolic effort but a deep, active commitment from every Canadian.

The author’s main argument is that Canadians need to confront the country’s colonial history. She states unequivocally, “The time for ‘we didn’t know’ is over,” highlighting the urgency of collective accountability. This shift from ignorance to active responsibility is more than just gaining knowledge. It involves a fundamental reckoning with past injustices, an understanding that “those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Wilson-Raybould argues that learning in this context goes beyond historical awareness; recognizing and rectifying wrongs is an ethical imperative.

Wilson-Raybould highlights Indigenous worldviews that differ significantly from Western frameworks, mainly focusing on interconnectedness. She urges Canadians to adopt a collective, inclusive perspective, “With all things and in all things, we are relatives.” This interconnected approach, vital to Indigenous cultures, invites readers to see society not as isolated individuals but as a web of relationships that depend on mutual respect and responsibility. The author illustrates how Indigenous knowledge systems foster understanding and empathy through storytelling, a central cultural practice, as these stories “teach every generation… illustrated in stories, songs, and ceremonies.”

However, Wilson-Raybould’s book also confronts the challenges inherent in reconciliation. Acknowledging the widespread frustrations caused by unfulfilled government promises and bureaucratic delays, the author quotes a reader’s skepticism: “It will probably take the government awhile to respond.” Her response to these institutional failures is a call for individual accountability, urging Canadians not to rely solely on governmental action. Reconciliation, she argues, is “not the sole domain of leaders and so-called heroes” but rather a responsibility shared by all. Wilson-Raybould warns that injustice persists without individual involvement: “[D]oing little or nothing… means things are getting worse.”

Wilson-Raybould’s framework is bolstered by references to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Drawing on these documents, she situated her guidance within well-established frameworks for structural change, emphasizing that change begins at the grassroots level. She poignantly asks, “Does one reconcile with one’s oppressor?”  This statement invites readers to question the feasibility of reconciliation efforts that do not address systemic power imbalances.

As an educator, I find Wilson-Raybould’s Learn, Understand, Act framework particularly valuable for integrating Indigenous perspectives into curricula. She describes how storytelling can foster critical awareness among students, advocating for educational environments that reflect diverse histories and values. This approach benefits Indigenous students, who see their heritage respected, and enriches all students’ understanding. For Wilson-Raybould, “teaching every generation… in stories, songs, and ceremonies” provides a powerful pedagogical tool to bridge cultural divides and foster empathy.

I highly recommend True Reconciliation: Learning, Understanding, and Acting for Indigenous Justice because it provides a practical, accessible framework for Canadians to engage meaningfully in reconciliation. Wilson-Raybould’s approach—based on learning, understanding, and acting—clarifies complex issues surrounding Indigenous justice and colonial history, making them approachable for readers of all backgrounds, including newcomers. Through personal narratives, reflections from Canadians, and references to essential frameworks like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, she creates a well-rounded guide that educates and motivates readers to take action. Whether you are an educator, student, community leader, or concerned citizen, this book offers valuable insights into how we can contribute to a more just and inclusive future. Wilson-Raybould’s urgent call for accountability, alongside her invitation to adopt Indigenous perspectives on interconnectedness, makes this book both inspiring and essential for anyone committed to creating positive change in Canada.

Kukwstsétsemc

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Amy Tucker is an educator and researcher with more than two decades of experience in post-secondary education. Since 2001, she has worked as a University Instructor and Open Learning Faculty Member at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). Her primary areas of focus include education, training, recruitment, career development, and management. Her research emphasizes decolonizing education, promoting reconciliation, and advancing principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in both academic and community settings. In addition to her academic work, Amy enjoys outdoor activities such as running, swimming, cycling, hiking, and kayaking. Her adventurous spirit shines through in her participation in various athletic events and her passion for exploring the natural beauty of British Columbia. Amy shares her experiences as an athlete in her newspaper column, “The Accidental Athlete,” which appears in the Kamloops Chronicle. Kukwstsétsemc. [Editor’s Note: Amy Tucker has reviewed books by Peter Edwards and Kevin Loring, Russ Grabb, Meaghan Marie Hackinen, Jayne Seagrave, Joanna Kafarowski and Martha Piper & Indira Samarasekera for The British Columbia Review.]

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The British Columbia Review

Interim Editors, 2023-26: Trevor Marc Hughes (non-fiction), Brett Josef Grubisic (fiction)
Publisher: Richard Mackie

Formerly The Ormsby Review, The British Columbia Review is an on-line book review and journal service for BC writers and readers. The Advisory Board now consists of Jean Barman, Wade Davis, Robin Fisher, Barry Gough, Hugh Johnston, Kathy Mezei, Patricia Roy, and Graeme Wynn. Provincial Government Patron (since September 2018): Creative BC. Honorary Patron: Yosef Wosk. Scholarly Patron: SFU Graduate Liberal Studies. The British Columbia Review was founded in 2016 by Richard Mackie and Alan Twigg.

“Only connect.” – E.M. Forster