News & New Website from Honouring Indigenous People

Here is the latest Honouring Indigenous People Rotary News and Events, projects, blogs, photos, films, and resources. There are many major initiatives and resources available to you and your Rotary club, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our District 7070 Action Committe's Areas of Focus Coordinator is John Currie from the Pickering Rotary Club. John is also the  Executive Director of H I P and can be reached at john.currie@pickeringrotary.ca .   If you have a good news story, please send it to us. Click here to view their new website and check the Areas of Focus Action Committees Menu Bar in the District Newsletter under HIP.  This rapidly growing nation-wide movement, HIP,  is a partnership between Indigenous Peoples & Rotarians. The new wesbite contains stories about supporters, just like you, who are making an impact across Canada by taking action to create lasting change! Here are some highlights .........

A Message from the Chair - Chris Snyder

The George Floyd murder in the United States has raised many questions, examples and stories about inequality, discrimination and exclusion of African Americans, people of colour and Indigenous Peoples in both the United States and Canada. It has also brought a lot of swift action, much of it positive.

These in justices however, cannot be solved by the stroke of a pen or only changing the name of a sports teams. In my opinion, it can only happen if every person works to know, understand and respect one another, regardless of their background or colour.

This is best done by developing relationships. Developing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples is part of HIPS mandate. Working together, on a common causes, is one way to develop a relationships. Another way is to invite Indigenous peoples to participate in Rotary events and activities. 

Over the years, Rotary membership has included prominent Indigenous leaders like Perry Bellegarde the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who is a former member of the Qu’Appelle Club in Saskatchewan. More recently, we are seeing an increase in the number of Indigenous Peoples joining Rotary, including HIP s new District 7010 Coordinator, Nicole Maschcherin (Van Stone) Stone), a second generation residential school survivor whose family comes from Attawapiskat.

For me, the best relationships I have developed are with those who I have worked side by side with on projects The process in itself breaks down barriers and allows us to gain a greater appreciation for our differences. Indigenous Peoples and Rotarians share many interest s including, but not limited to peace, environment, education and fighting disease. A partnership working together seems like a natural fit. We encourage Rotary Clubs and Indigenous Communities to invite each other to their events and create opportunities for collaboration on shared challenges.

As a Rotary Club, it is important for to create an environment that is safe and welcoming for Indigenous peoples. This includes understanding local Indigenous protocols, history and culture. It means working towards reconciliation by responding to the calls-to-action with positive changes, such as giving an appropriate land acknowledgement statement prior to meetings. When a Club has made this type of commitment, it may be appropriate to invite Indigenous Peoples and communities to join Rotary. It is important that inviting Indigenous People is done in the right way and for the right reasons, otherwise trust will be eroded. 

Till next time, Migwetch (Thank You)

Chris Snyder

HIP Chairperson

Rotary Club of Toronto

ABOUT CHRIS: Chris is the author of Creating Opportunities: A Volunteer’s Memoir and an active member of the Rotary Club of Toronto. Chris is currently Chair of HIP (Honouring Indigenous Peoples) and Past Chair of the Canadian Landmine Foundation . He has sat on a number of not-for-profit boards, including currently serving on the board of CUSO and the Trudeau Centre of Peace, Conflict and Justice at the Munk Centre (University of Toronto).  He is the recipient of many volunteer and community service awards.

Be sure to read the latest HIP Circle Newsletter .  Here is the link 

What is your club doing to Honour Indigenous People? Please email Julie Dunaiskis (julie@eccgroup.ca) with a brief summary so we can post on the HIP website and provide an update in upcoming newsletters. This will help other clubs and provide a sense of how we are involved. We do not know the precise number of clubs across Canada who are involved in educational and awareness activities, however, our guess is we are close to 175 and growing. Some clubs were involved well before HIP, many on their own and some because of our encouragement and leadership.

Regards,