Reconciliation through Relationships
Sparking reconciliation
one friendship at a time.
How it works
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Reconciliation Through Relationships (RTR) connects Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to build friendships and strengthen cross-cultural understanding. After an orientation with facilitators, the pairs will meet once or twice a month for a discussion centred on learning material about Indigenous history in Canada. The program concludes with a final gathering of the entire cohort to share learnings, express challenges, and celebrate growing friendships.
Learning Community
Discover resources that can help you learn more about Indigenous history in Canada.
Learn from past RTR participants
Watch conversations where past participants share what they learned through the RTR process.
check out our resource list
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Find books, videos and more on Indigenous culture and history in Canada.​
The community behind Reconciliation Through Relationships
Reconciliation Through Relationships (RTR) was launched as a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to engage in meaningful conversations and interactions. The initiative is led by Andrew Russell, who is from the Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation. He serves as the Indigenous ambassador and partnership liaison for RTR. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and our funding partners, Bridgeway Foundation and Stronger Together Philanthropy.
Reconciliation Through Relationships was founded in 2021 by Indigenous leaders Jimmy Thunder of Reconciliation Thunder and Ji-gaabiikwe (Diane Campeau) of iEmergence, and Joel Gordon, a non-Indigenous convenor from the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to find a conversation partner. How do I sign up?
The process is simple. Sign up for our email newsletter. Then you’ll be asked to fill out a participant profile so we can offer suggestions for your learning journey. You can either be paired with a conversation partner and join a cohort of learning pairs or receive suggested resources to engage in further learning. Find out more details about how to participate.
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What is the time commitment if I’m paired with a conversation partner?
The conversation partner process lasts for months, involving a minimum time commitment of six one-hour meetings. These meetings are scheduled based on the availability of the individual pairs. During the relationship-building program, you and your conversation partner will also choose between watching video content (resources will be provided) or reading/listening to Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis, & Inuit Issues in Canada by Chelsea Vowel.
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What happens after the program ends?
The program facilitates conversations over four months, but the relationships don’t have to end there. In our pilot program, most of the pairs who met together have carried on friendships. One pair even collaborated together on a music video!
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Is the program remote or in person?
The program includes three meetings with a cohort of pairs. These meetings will take place on Zoom. The meetings with your conversation partner can be either online or in person, depending on proximity and preference. These meetings are scheduled by you and your conversation partner. All learning material is accessed remotely.
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What is the cost of the program?
Participation is free. All resources will be provided, including a free six-month subscription to APTN lumi (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network). Indigenous participants will also receive an honorarium of $500.
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Are the learning materials provided?
Yes, all materials will be provided. During the program, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a resource on Indigenous history in Canada. You and your conversation partner can choose between watching a documentary program (links will be provided) or reading/listening to Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis, & Inuit Issues in Canada by Chelsea Vowel. The materials are provided free
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I’m not sure I want to be partnered with anyone right now. Can I still be involved?
Of course. You can be involved by engaging with the resources on this site and can share the link with friends. You can also sign up for our email newsletter to learn about additional resources and practical action steps.
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I still have questions. Who can I reach out to?
You can email efc@theEFC.ca with any questions you may have.