This year marks Canada's first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. When the federal government announced that September 30 will now be recognized as a statutory holiday it was seen as progress in Canada’s reconciliation with Indigenous people. It is great that the day is recognized, many schools and businesses are closing for the day and are stepping up. It's encouraging to see members of the community showing their support and commitment to reconciliation, but it's a shame that the province is not acknowledging the federal holiday.

Now is when the journey begins for some and continues for many, and action needs to happen now. Although we are all on this journey together, we are taking slightly different paths. For the non-Indigenous people, the path is about learning and understanding the history between Canada and Indigenous people, to understand the systemic racism within our governments, education systems, and our organizations, using what is learned to take action. The path for Indigenous people is to heal and regain back our culture and identity, which has been eroded and taken from us for generations. 

Even though these two paths are different, they both lead to the same goal. That Indigenous people are included in Calgary's future and that there is enough for all.