SaskCulture is attempting to address what it says are deep-rooted issues of racism in Canada that have been unveiled by recent trials in the Prairies.
Tensions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people have flared in recent weeks with verdicts in the trials surrounding the deaths of Colten Boushie and Tina Fontaine.
In a release, SaskCulture says: “The ongoing dialogue in the media and on social media channels, prior to, during and after recent legal cases in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, has irrefutably exposed the high level of racism in this province.”
“I believe that this sort of thing (racism) has been there forever, we’re just sort of now starting to understand how much is here and that it’s not going to go away unless we do something about it,” says SaskCulture CEO Rose Gilks. “SaskCulture urges everyone, particularly non-Indigenous peoples, to work towards reconciliation.”
Specifically, on the topic of Indigenous relations, officials with the organization believe it is everyone’s duty to work on resolving issues.
“I think the first thing people can do is become very familiar and learn about the 94 calls to action and the Truth and Reconciliation report and look at the ones that probably impact them personally,” remarked Gilks. “I think we have to remember what this country, in theory, stands for and that’s equality and fairness for everybody.”
SaskCulture is a non-profit that is devoted to developing cultural inclusion in the province.
(PHOTO: SaskCulture logo. Photo courtesy of SaskCulture.ca)