One year ago, Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report. In it was a clear summons to all Canadians to do their part in addressing the challenge of reconciliation between Canada’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Vancouver Island University (VIU) heard that call, especially the one for educational institutions to take responsibility.

That was the genesis of Reconciliation Road, a series of events and activities that are being planned to engage people in the reconciliation process.

November is especially filled with events – open to everyone – from a sold-out Buffy Sainte-Marie concert, part of the downtown Nanaimo Port Theatre’s Spotlight series, to VIU’s Indigenous speaker series and ‘soup-and-bannock lunch-and-learn’ series at Shq’apthut (A Gathering Place) on the Nanaimo campus.

The university is no stranger to building solid relationships with First Nations. There are elders in residence at its campuses in Nanaimo, Cowichan and Powell River. And eight years ago, Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, a hereditary leader from Ahousaht First Nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island, was named the university’s first chancellor.

But Reconciliation Road marks a new journey for the institution. One of the first steps took place in early October when the Witness Blanket was unveiled at the View Gallery on the Nanaimo campus. First Nation artist and master carver Carey Newman created the thought-provoking contemporary art installation about the impacts of Canada’s residential school era.

The Blanket stands over eight-feet tall and 40-feet long and includes more than 800 objects, including braids of hair, a weather-beaten shoe and the door to the infirmary of St. Michael’s residential school in Alert Bay. The exhibition lasts until Nov. 30 and is a partnership between VIU and the Regional District of Nanaimo.

From Nov. 23-Dec. 7, the Testify project comes to the Nanaimo campus. It is a pairing of artists and legal thinkers working to create artwork about Indigenous laws and opportunities. The project hopes to put the idea of reconciliation into practice by creating a space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians to dream a way forward.

Visit ur.viu.ca/reconciliation-road for more information.