In our experience as Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people working together toward a common goal of justice and healing, we have found that hearing each other's truth can be transforming and empowering, if we can speak openly, honestly and respectfully -- and listen in the same way. True dialogue is possible and, as the foundation for trust between our peoples, it is a necessary first step along the road to change and any eventual reconciliation.

We recognize that many Aboriginal people feel alienated and damaged by what non-Native people have done, and feel little hope of ever having a constructive relationship with their non-Native neighbours. We also recognize that a lot of non-Aboriginal people would like this relationship to be better than it is, but don't know what to do and feel immobilized (by helplessness, guilt, fear of doing the wrong thing or of being blamed for everything), particularly if all they hear about is the "bad" news about our connections.

But transforming this historical colonial relationship from one based on domination to one characterized by balance and fairness will take cooperation and mutual effort. While many aspects of the struggle for justice require Aboriginal people to work apart from non-Native Canadians, and non-Native Canadians also have individual and collective responsibilities to challenge and change their own patterns and behaviours, we must also collaborate if we want a fundamental change in our relationship. We all have much to gain by supporting each other, bound as we are to live together for many generations in a common land, with constitutional, legal, financial, and social obligations to fulfill. As the report on the Royal Commission On Aboriginal Peoples suggests:

"The history of Aboriginal peoples in Canada is our history. The present reality of Aboriginal people is Canada’s reality. The future of Aboriginal peoples is our future.”

Each one of us is part of this relationship, shaped but not limited by the interactions of our peoples in the past. Each one of us can do something, however small, to change this relationship in the present, and for our children.