The Morris area’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee is hosting Dr. Maureen Matthews, former curator of cultural anthropology at the Manitoba Museum, next week for a discussion on land treaties and their impact.
“We hope that Dr. Matthews speaks of some of the artifacts she has worked with in her time with the Museum,” said committee member Sharon Eadie of the March 12 event, which takes place at 7 p.m. at the Morris Multiplex. “Many of these artifacts are so precious few have ever seen them.”
Matthews represents the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, a neutral organization dedicated to strengthening treaty relationships and fostering mutual respect between First Nations and Manitobans. The commission promotes public understanding of treaty making and engages in advocacy throughout the province.
The Morris TRC aims to educate, share resources, and answer questions to help the community engage with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action released in 2105.
“We’re helping people with the ‘truth’ part,” explained Eadie.
Since its inception in fall of 2023, the committee has continued to expand its outreach efforts. They welcomed Nigaan Sinclair, Anishinaabe writer and activist, last September and in January met with members of the Pembina Valley Truth and Action Working Group to exchange ideas. The committee soon hopes to have a collection of resources to share with the community.
“The more we work together as a group we realize that people collectively share feelings of being [a part of the Calls to Action], and that we are not alone in this feeling,” Eadie observed.
By hosting Matthews, the Morris TRC hopes to individualize reconciliation efforts as opposed to larger-scale community events, such as Orange Shirt Day.
“The idea of being able to make reconciliation more intimate may encourage ongoing efforts for personal learning, that everyone has their own journey to take, and that reconciliation follows from them,” Eadie explained. “We continue to build relationships and presence in the community.”
Next week’s talk is open to all. For more information, email organizers at TRCinMorris@gmail.com
