Honouring Resistance

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Understanding Resilience and Honouring Resistance

What is Resilience?

Resilience is often described as a person’s ability to “bounce back” from difficult circumstances. In psychological terms, resilience is an individual’s ability to withstand and adapt to adverse and traumatic events.

For children, resilience is especially important because they rely on adults to provide safety, protection, and care.

What Resilience is Not

It’s important to be clear about what resilience does not mean.

  • Resilience is not the ability to simply “get over” what has happened.

  • Resilience should not be used as a weaponized expectation for people to quickly overcome experiences of marginalization, racism, discrimination, or intergenerational trauma.

Resilience is a process, not a demand.

Understanding Resistance

Resistance is another way people respond to unjust or violent circumstances.

  • People resist in many forms—sometimes quietly, sometimes visibly.

  • Acts of resistance may be hidden to protect oneself from further harm.

  • Children are particularly skilled at resisting in ways that protect themselves and others.

Recognizing and honouring resistance allows us to see the agency and strength of those who face injustice.

Connecting to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

On September 30, we honour the resilience and resistance of Indigenous children and families affected by Canada’s residential school system.

  • Orange Shirt Day reminds us of the children who were taken from their families and forced into residential schools. Many never returned home.

  • Survivors who are with us today are powerful testaments to resilience and resistance. Their very presence proves the strength of children.

This day calls us to reflect not just on the past, but also on our responsibilities in the present.

Being an Ally and Accomplice

Allyship requires action. Take time to:

  • Read and share articles, stories, and posts about the resistance of Indigenous Peoples.

  • Stay informed about ongoing issues, such as Bill 5, decades-long boil water advisories in Northern communities, and the heartbreaking discovery and return of children’s remains to their families.

A Call to Action: We Are All Treaty People

Treaties are living agreements, and we each hold responsibility in upholding them.

Reflect on this truth:

  • “We are all treaty people.”

  • What does it mean for us to hold up our side of the agreement?

  • How can we act, every day, to ensure justice, dignity, and respect for Indigenous Peoples?