As National Day of Truth and Reconciliation approaches on Sept. 30, it is fitting that we also pause for reflection on Sept. 21, International Day of Peace. This year, as we advance mutually supportive community-wide efforts to move through conflict, it is being highlighted for the first time as one of the Days of Significance by the Office of the Vice-Provost (Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity) in partnership with the Office of the Vice-Provost (Indigenous Programming and Research).
Established in 1981 by the United Nations, the International Day of Peace recognizes that peace represents the absence of conflict and also a commitment to participatory processes that support ongoing dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation. The UN declaration also advocates for the elimination of discrimination and violence based on intersectional positionalities, including racism, ableism and sexism. Recognizing the International Day of Peace on an ongoing basis contributes to commitments laid out in the Braiding Past, Present and Future: The University of Alberta Indigenous Strategic Plan, the Culture of Care, Shape and the Student Experience Action Plan to building communities where we, individually and as a collective, come to understand diverse experiences and ideas, commitments fundamental to shaping a more accessible and equitable U of A.
The International Day of Peace theme for 2024 is “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.” In anticipation of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, examining the history of the numbered Treaties that currently guide us on the land where we live is just one of the ways the U of A community might consider working towards a culture of peace.
A Shared Legacy
The rolling prairies and vibrant communities of Treaty 6 territory carry a legacy — stories of conflict and stories of peace, each bearing lessons that continue to resonate today. As the International Day of Peace aligns with our reflections on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we are reminded of the intricate tapestry of history woven by the Indigenous peoples of North America, from the tactical feats of the Lakota at Little Bighorn to the peacemaking triumphs symbolized by Wetaskiwin. The Battle of Little Bighorn stands out as a defining moment. In 1876, the Dakota peoples, alongside their Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho allies, under the leadership of formidable figures like Chief Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, demonstrated military acumen that astonished the world, changing the dynamics of warfare against the U.S. military. The victory was not merely a win in battle but a staunch resistance to the threat of genocide — a testament to the Indigenous will to survive and protect their sovereignty.
The enduring contributions to peace by the Indigenous nations of Treaty 6 territory represent an equally vital narrative. These peoples, including the Cree, shifted from a tradition of seasonal warring to welcoming an era of peace and cohabitation, symbolized by the Cree word wītaskīwin — the act of living in peace.
This historic metamorphosis birthed places like Wetaskiwin, a site known as ‘the hills where peace was made’ — illustrating the transformative journey undertaken by Indigenous leaders who embraced peace treaties. Often under dire circumstances, the significance of their decision sowed the seeds for a more harmonious existence not only for themselves but for future generations and newcomers/settlers/immigrants to the land.
The peace forged by the First Nations through these treaties (in this case, Treaty 6) has had a worldwide impact, contributing to global understandings of human rights, collective security and the pursuit of harmonious coexistence among diverse peoples. Yet, the role Indigenous nations played in fostering this environment of peace has been underappreciated and overshadowed by colonial narratives.
Cultivating a Culture of Peace
This International Day of Peace, we invite each individual to embrace this shared responsibility. Let us delve into the histories of the Treaties that underpin our very existence on this land, recognizing their intent to create peace and strive toward its actualization. We, as individuals and our collectives, must continue to learn about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and how we can apply them to our personal and professional lives to fuel the ongoing reconciliation process.
In Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Marie Wilson’s book North of Nowhere, she challenges us to consider peace as an integral part of reconciliation, saying:
“... reconciliation also means peace. Peace in the hearts of individuals, peace in families, communities, country. Peace not as the opposite of war but as the opposite of social dysfunction, cultural disintegration, and spiritual collapse” (p. 192).
As we approach National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, let us honour the Indigenous legacy of both war and peace by committing to actions that nurture kindness, understanding and collaboration. By doing so, we not only pay homage to the Indigenous contributors of peace but actively participate in the healing and unity that our society yearns for. Take a moment to recognize the Treaty territory you reside on. Educate yourself on the history and current implications of the treaties. Engage with Indigenous cultures and support their paths to self-determination and sovereignty recovery and revival. In doing so, we keep the spirit of reconciliation alive, every day, ensuring that peace is more than a concept — it is the reality we build together, for today and all our tomorrows.
Florence Glanfield
Vice-Provost, Indigenous Programming and Research
Carrie Smith
Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Resources
We, together with colleagues, invite you to play your part in cultivating a culture of peace through these resources for the International Day of Peace and Treaty Understandings:
- United Nations International Day of Peace
- Cultivating a Culture of Peace in Teaching and Learning
- Learn about the International Peace Pole Project and the Edmonton Peace Pole Project
- Visit the Peace Poles throughout the main floor of the Education Centre (North Campus), created by classes in the Faculty of Education
- Attend the inaugural Gordon Hirabayashi lecture on Oct. 3. The lecture series celebrates the legacy of the former U of A sociology professor whose work is centred on human rights and ethnic minorities in Canada
- Learn more through the Indigenous Canada or Black Canadians: History, Presence and Anti-Racist Futures courses
- Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and, in particular Calls to Action 45, 47, 53-56, 62, 63, 77 and 79-83.
- Read the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and, in particular Articles 3, 8, 11, 15, 18, 19 and 37
- Read Organization Of the American States Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and, in particular Articles 4, 6, 7, 14, 16, 17 and 33
- Explore these themes in books such as Dean Spade’s Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity during this Crisis and the Next (2020) and We Will Not Cancel Us and Other Dreams of Transformative Justice (2020) by adrienne maree brown