National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: A Journey of Awareness and Empathy
- Brian Duff
- Sep 30
- 2 min read
Today, September 30, is Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada. It's a day for all of us to pause, remember, reflect, and commit to meaningful action. This year, my personal reflections were profoundly shaped by a talk I attended with Dr. Lorna Wanosts’a7 Williams, Associate Professor Emerita of Indigenous Education at the University of Victoria.
Dr. Williams, a survivor of residential and day schools, shared her story with grace and wisdom. Of the many powerful insights she offered, two things in particular resonated deeply with me:
1. The Power of One Person: Dr. Williams spoke about the incredible impact a single individual can have on another's life. A teacher, a friend, a mentor - just one person who sees your worth, believes in your potential, and champions your intelligence can open up opportunities you never thought possible. This simple truth sparked a powerful question within me: Who can I be that person for today?
2. The Weight of Unconscious Bias: She also spoke about the persistent hold of unconscious bias on our society. Dr. Williams shared a poignant example of leading a group of friends into a restaurant, only to have the host look past her to make eye contact with the white people in her group first. This moment hit me hard.
The next day, when I spoke about this with a dear friend, she herself evoked a new level of awareness in me. I don't fear being pulled over and questioned by police while walking or driving. I don't give it a second thought to go into a bank and conduct my business. These are invisible but profound privileges that many people don't have.
This isn't about shaming anyone for their background. While I have faced my own struggles with prejudice - for being gay, being fat, being Irish - this is about seeking a deeper understanding of how others experience the world. It’s about recognizing that our personal journeys, and those of our ancestors, shape our perspectives. As a person of Irish descent, I see echoes of the Catholic Church’s historical impact on both my heritage and on Canada’s First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
My journey toward truth and reconciliation is one of continuous learning. The more I listen, the more empathy, respect, and pride I feel for my fellow humans. My wish for myself on this important day is to continue challenging my own beliefs and biases, and to continue to stretch into more love and kindness towards everyone.
As I continue to grow as a coach, I am in awe of the transformation I am noticing in myself each and every day. I am grateful for this gift in my new profession. I welcome those who are curious about how coaching could help them in their lives to reach out and chat with me. You might be thinking, "Chat about what?" Right there, there is your curiosity. If you’ve made it this far down my blog, you are curious enough to want to learn more about yourself. Why not give it a try? What have you got to lose?
What is your wish, your commitment, or your hope for today?
