Reflecting on Truth and Reconciliation Day & Treaty Day: Honouring the Past; Committing to the Future
By Founder Shila
I typically take the week leading up to Truth and Reconciliation Day to write a blog post to mark the date and to outline Restorative Approach’s commitments. This year felt different for me. I’ve been grappling with continued grief from the loss of Elder Billy Lewis, and the passing of this date without him brought up a lot of emotion in me.
Elder Billy was a deeply respected Elder, known for his wisdom, kindness, and dedication to fostering understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. He played a pivotal role in our work together, leading Indigenous sharing circles and guiding us through teachings that reflected the true spirit of reconciliation. His presence embodied the values of connection, truth, and healing.
Billy also meant a great deal to me on a personal level. He was my north star when it came to deep philosophical questions. We were kindred spirits and true comrades. The loss of his presence reverberates through my life and I miss him even more as time passes. It was not uncommon for Billy and I to share time together on September 30th, often heading to events held by the Friendship Centre. I loved spending this day with him. He was such a social creature and seemed to know everyone at every event.
This year, I felt such a loss about where to go and how to mark this day without Billy when a last-minute invitation to attend a tree planting ceremony in his very honour arrived, to be held at The Deanery, a space that held a lot of meaning for Billy. We had intended to visit the space together over the years but those plans never came together. Suddenly I realized I’d be meeting him on the land, if not in the way I intended. His loving partner was there too, to place some of Billy’s ashes and his medicine pouch at the base of a cedar tree planted in Billy’s memory. The cedar tree now stands beautifully on the property alongside a bicycle with a license plate that Billy had made up that reads “Treaty Gas”. In that, Billy’s twinkle and mischievous spirit remains with us as well.
The ceremonial circle was an exceptional gift. I was in community with new faces – faces who knew and loved Billy too. Guided by a loving Elder, we shared stories, cried, laughed, and sang together. We reflected on what it means to mourn on Orange Shirt Day. We burned tobacco prayer ties with love for all the children who were harmed or killed by settler systems of violence and hatred. It was good medicine, and I felt Billy’s presence with us throughout.
Truth Before Reconciliation
We echo the words of many Indigenous leaders: "Without truth, there is no reconciliation." This means recognizing the deep intergenerational harm caused by residential schools, the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in foster care, and the systemic injustices that continue to impact Indigenous Peoples today. In Nova Scotia, we live on Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq. We are treaty people, bound by agreements that reflect the commitment to mutual respect, cohabitation, and peace. Yet, these treaties have been broken time and again, and this truth must be acknowledged before healing can occur.
As we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th and Treaty Day on October 1st, we are reminded of our collective responsibility to honour Indigenous histories, acknowledge the painful truths of colonization, and work toward a future rooted in respect, justice, and equity. This time calls us to reflect deeply on the importance of truth-telling as a precursor to meaningful reconciliation.
This year, my commitment is simple, and applies to my personal and professional life:
I commit to living as a seedling of Billy Lewis, honouring his legacy and teachings by walking through my life in a good way, as he always did.
Wela’lin, Elder Billy. We miss you deeply and continue the work with you in our hearts.
A tongue-in-cheek licence plate on a bike Billy brought out to The Deanery.