A personal takeaway from Orange Shirt Day

*Written with supervision of Renee Hacker, Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA), Clinical Director & Pritha Chowdury, RBA, Behaviour Analyst

A lesson learned from the Truth & Reconciliation movement

I am always looking for connections. How do we make this relevant to our community, to our mission and not just a token piece of content that says, “Hey us too! We care about Orange Shirt Day”?

One thing about Truth and Reconciliation and events like Orange Shirt Day that stands out for me as the voice of marketing at Lake Ridge Community Support Services is this.

Much of what we need to reconcile comes from a belief system that one way of being is superior to another. Forcing people to change, becoming indistinguishable from one another. Never considering the loss of diversity and the trauma it causes.

As a result, generations have been harmed.

A common theme in disability and autism advocacy is this notion that so much burden is placed on disabled individuals to change, to fit in and to adapt to the environment cultivated by the majority.

Once again, it is not the same, but here we are, demanding compliance and adaptation from people while often ignoring their rights, their needs, and their strengths.

There is a deep learning opportunity here. One that goes beyond the immense need to embrace the truth and make meaningful strides towards reconciliation with our indigenous communities.

It can spread to how we see one another, how we think about our relationship to each other and the responsibilities we have to one another and to this land.

At Lake Ridge Community Support Services that shows up in our deep commitment to diversity and inclusion, and how we show respect and gratitude for the people of this land. As ABA providers it means using our science responsibly. Not to change people but to empower them to navigate a world not designed for them. To recognize the privilege of our position, and to advocate and to teach self advocacy so we can reduce the burden on others. Not out of pity, but out of duty.

I am not indigenous, but I can learn from indigenous communities. This is just one lesson they’ve taught me.

What have you learned? Tell me in the comments. 🗨

Brian Stanton

Marketing Manager