Truth and Reconciliation Statement

Braeburn commits to supporting Indigenous children, youth, and families in the communities we serve. We commit to creating equitable spaces for Indigenous staff, partners, and community members. We call for an end to the systemic inequities faced by Indigenous communities. We stand for Truth and Reconciliation.
We acknowledge that Indigenous peoples have suffered under colonial and postcolonial policies. We believe that to work respectfully with Indigenous nations, our staff needs to be aware of the collective impact that intergenerational trauma continues to have on Indigenous children, youth, and families.
We need to learn and understand our shared history in a way that moves us towards a stronger and healthier future, with relationships rooted in mutual understanding and respect.
We know that by supporting Indigenous young people, we strengthen society overall. We also know that our ability to provide transformative spaces and meaningful opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous young leaders to forge new pathways together is a crucial contribution to Truth and Reconciliation.
We are guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which establishes the individual and collective rights of Indigenous peoples and protects them from discriminatory policies and practices.
We are also guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s final report, and in response to their Calls to Action, we will:
Build knowledge and awareness of Truth and Reconciliation by offering learning/unlearning and capacity-building opportunities for the organization’s leadership, staff, volunteers, and members (children, youth, and families) that will increase understanding of Indigenous peoples, cultures, languages, communities, histories, the impact of colonial actions, intergenerational trauma, and the role that we can play in walking the path of Reconciliation (TRC Calls to Action 92iii and 62i).
Seek meaningful and sustained relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations, nationally and locally, based on equality, good faith, and mutual respect, to work collaboratively towards equitable, accessible, and culturally relevant and responsive services for Indigenous children, youth, and families (TRC Call to Action 66).

Braeburn Neighbourhood Place & Boys and Girls Club is a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Canada (BGC). We thank the national body that created this Truth and Reconciliation Commitment Statement in partnership with First Nations Elders, Knowledge Keepers and youth leaders across the nation. Braeburn has adopted these commitments to ensure our ongoing journey of principled work.