Discussing Reconcilable Differences: Trent's School for Study of Canada Leads Important National Conversation
Canadian Difference project set to launch its first conversation July 11
Canadian Difference, a bilingual online community dedicated to insightful national conversation about what makes our country work, will officially launch later this month with its first discussion – an exploration around what is needed to repair relations between First Nations peoples and other Canadians.
This first discussion, in which all Canadians are invited to participate, is being led by Trent University professor emeritus Dr. John Milloy and professor and chair of Indigenous Studies at Trent, David Newhouse. The discussion, titled Reconcilable Differences, is set to launch July 11, and provides an opportunity for all to thoughtfully consider what reconciliation should look like.
"What roles and responsibilities should non-aboriginal Canadians and the government take on in reconciliation? What roles and responsibilities should First Nations communities take on?" These are a few questions that Professors Milloy and Newhouse mention in their opening statement.
"Canadian Difference is like a university seminar for everybody," says Dr. Christopher Dummitt, professor in Trent’s School for the Study of Canada, who envisioned the project with the philanthropic leadership of Ontario-based executives William A. Macdonald and William R.K. Innes.
"With each conversation, we're hoping to engage people who may not be academics, but who are interested Canadians. It's about making sure we head toward our 150th anniversary, engaging citizens about the past and what matters now. We'll share our past and shape our future."
Though anyone can contribute to the online community conversation, Professor Dummitt explains that there are no anonymous posts, and that participants must become members.
"We are working to create a community of people who are speaking in a constructive way," he says, adding that Trent Ph.D. students are moderating the discussion, which also contains Facebook-like features that allow participants to indicate whether posts offer valuable insight, increase understanding or change views.
» Learn more about the Canadian Difference project or sign up for the first discussion