Over this past concert period, OVC choristers have been on a powerful journey with members of the Indigenous community. We have laughed and cried with our distinguished guest Indigenous artists and speakers, and a question that came up repeatedly was: "How can non-Indigenous folks be allies to our Indigenous neighbours?" Part of the answer lies in learning about the history of colonization in Canada and understanding the meaning of Truth and Reconciliation. We provide the following Reading List for our non-Indigenous audience members who wish to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation.

Michelle Robinson recommends: The 94 Calls to Action, released by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, December 2015: 94 Calls To Action United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)The CBC video documentary series 8th Fire, with host Wab Kinew. This four-part video series can also be purchased on iTunes for $12.

Evans Yellow Old Woman recommends: White Goose Flying Report, commissioned by the City of Calgary. YYC Voices – Calgary's Coalition of Two-Spirit and Racialized LGBTQIA+. On Facebook: YYC Voices Email: yycvoices.communications@gmail.com Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis & Inuit Issues in Canada. Written by Chelsea Vowel. Published by Portage and Main Press. National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Other Recommendations:

Articles The Blanket ExerciseHere’s a description of the exercise from the KAIROS website: The Blanket Exercise.A look at Treaty 7, the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, on which Calgary is situated.Canadian Encyclopedia’s online article about Treaty 7.

Non-fiction Books The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America, by Thomas King. Published by Penguin Random House Canada.Indigenous-topics book club. Chapters and Chat, hosted by Michelle Robinson every third Monday evening from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Forest Lawn Library in the basement.Find them on Facebook by searching for Aboriginal Pride with 12CSI.

Music/Musicians Buffy Sainte-Marie, including her November 2017 release “Medicine Songs” and her award-winning 2015 album "Power in the Blood" (“It’s My Way”)Tanya Tagaq: Tribe Called RedWilliam Prince (check out his song “7”)Jeremy Dutcher (check out this video: video) Ulali (check out “Makh Jchi”) Asani (their own version of “O Canada”)

Theater The Making of Treaty 7 Produced in part by One Yellow Rabbit Theater, and directed by Michelle Thrush. This 75-minute video is a workshop presentation. There are also shorter, TV-news-style video articles about the project available on YouTube.