As Jody Wilson-Raybould entered the room at the Southminster United Church on Sept. 20, over 600 people stood and applauded.
The former attorney general was in Ottawa to launch her new book, titled From Where I Stand: Rebuilding Indigenous Nations for a Stronger Canada. The sold out event featured a discussion with Maclean’s writer Paul Wells about issues regarding Indigenous reconciliation.
“It’s a book that has taken over a decade to write,” explained Wilson-Raybould. Her book is comprised of 10 years worth of speeches and other writings from throughout her career, from her time as regional chief of British Columbia to her recent tenure as Canada’s minister of justice and attorney general.
“[The book] speaks to Indigenous nation rebuilding,” said Wilson-Raybould. She added that it touches on “the success that Indigenous communities have had in terms of self government and taking control of their own communities.
Throughout the discussion, Wilson-Raybould’s point was clear and consistent. To reach Indigenous reconciliation, everyone needs to do their part, including Indigenous communities, the Canadian government, and non-Indigenous Canadians.
Wilson-Raybould was met with cheers from the crowd when she said, “Indigenous issues have to be removed from partisan politics.” She said Indigenous communities and the Canadian government must learn from each other for there to be reconciliation. If not, she said, it will be impossible.
“It shouldn’t be just one,” said Mateo Peralta, a freelance journalist who attended the event. “It should be all parties pushing towards reconciliation with different strategies.”
Though she said Indigenous reconciliation is and has been a difficult task to take on in Canada, Wilson-Raybould continues to hold hope for the future.
“I am still optimistic this is going to happen,” she said.
This optimism was shared by many in the crowd, including Ishmael Van Der Rassel, who is Métis. He said Wilson-Raybould’s book could spark change.
“It’s going to start making people who are non-Indigenous start advocating for us besides our own communities doing it,” said Van Der Rassel.
“I hope people know that everybody has to do their part and that everybody has a role to play in reconciliation,” Wilson-Raybould said in an interview.
“Just seeing the number of people, I see that people are involved, and it’s increasing. That’s going to change things.”
Feature image by Mélissa Boswell.
