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Arnav Ladhe
Ms. Laros
NBE3U1-02
28 September 2023

The power of Truth in the Quest for Indigenous Reconciliation

“I still wonder how the truth could have changed things that afternoon in Topham Park.”

(Wente 9)

True reconciliation is a long walk towards justice, and it has barely begun. Wente,

like many others before him, and some after, is no stranger to facing racial prejudice towards

Indigenous communities. Decades and numerous ‘reforms’ later, the same prejudice remains,

in bits and pieces; nonetheless, it remains. How many times do people think of the word

“Indian” or “Indigenous” and relate it to those innocent cartoons portraying them as savages

needing to be shot. Upon reflection, those cartoons may not have been so innocent after all.

But that is the type of content millions of young children consume daily. So, when a young

Jesse Wente was mocked by his opponents, or when a team comprising of First Nations youth

were humiliated at a hockey tournament, it is safe to assume where this misperception, or

more accurately, misrepresentation of Indigenous communities comes from. Cartoons and

feature films are just the tip of the iceberg though, an iceberg that gets uglier as you go

further down. Storytelling is a powerful tool. Stories and folklores are the main ways for

indigenous culture to be passed onto future generations. However, a very strong contrast is

seen, when stories about indigenous groups and culture are shared by non-indigenous people.

While one helps in the enrichment of culture and continuing that way of life, the other is used

as a tool to create hate and animosity towards a people that have historically been wronged.

The flapping of arms, coupled with the wah-wah-wah sound represented how little those kids
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knew about the rich and varied cultures of Indigenous folk. To achieve true reconciliation and

justice, addressing racial and cultural prejudice head-on is essential. Acknowledging the

historical injustices endured by Indigenous peoples and recognizing the profound resilience

and cultural richness they contribute to society will go a long way towards reinforcing their

value to society. Ignorance is bliss only when it does not affect you; however, the persistent

misrepresentation of Indigenous people perpetuates harmful stereotypes and hinders progress

toward genuine understanding and reconciliation. Would those kids in Topham Park have

reacted differently if they knew about the atrocities committed against the same kind that they

so shamelessly made fun of? Probably. And that is the only direction to be taken. As Wente

puts it, “Progress built on a lie is not progress.” (Wente 9) The pursuit of truth stands as the

most robust pillar in the journey towards reconciling with Indigenous communities, laying

the foundation upon which mutual understanding, healing and meaningful purpose can be

built. In this journey towards rectifying past injustices, towards a better future for those

whose voices that once resonated but their echoes now suppressed; hope remains the

strongest arrow in the quiver.

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Works Cited

Wente, Jesse. “Unreconciled: Family, Truth, and Indigenous Resistance. Toronto: Penguin

Canada, 2021