YWCA Saskatoon commits to ongoing, meaningful and action-led truth and reconciliation through:
Culturally supportive spaces and programming.
Walking for Reconciliation and hosting an Advisory Circle to learn, connect, and reflect.
In 2024, YWCA Saskatoon’s staff participated in Reconciliation Saskatoon’s Rock Your Roots: Walk for Reconciliation on June 21 — National Indigenous Peoples Day. We walked in solidarity to honour the truth of the residential schools, remember those who survived them, and reaffirm our collective commitment to reconciliation.
In September of this year, YWCA Saskatoon hosted an “Advisory Circle” with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Scholars, and Advocates to learn, connect, and gather guidance on how we can continue to improve and enhacne our reconciliation efforts.
Supporting employee learning and personal reconciliation journeys.
To support our employees in their ongoing learning and personal reconciliation journeys, we host Elder and Indigenous-led cultural awareness trainings and have embedded actionable truth and reconciliation learning goals in to each employee’s performance plan.
Partnering with Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan.
YWCA Saskatoon’s policies, programming, and initiatives have been comprehensively assessed through Honouring Her Spark: A Saskatchewan Indigenous Women’s Economic Framework. The full assessment report, including prioritized recommendations, has been reviewed by YWCA Saskatoon’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee.
Building culturally supportive second-stage housing.
New transitional housing wing construction is well underway with:
- Additional 35 units and 75 beds.
- 24/7 trauma-informed support.
- Indigenous-led programming and availability of materials for traditional Indigenous healing practices.
- Spaces for cultural connection and programming.
Engaging in a comprehensive review of Women of Distinction Awards.
We heard concerns voiced about 2023 Women of Distinction Awards program and acknowledge the tension around how the awards reflect our community’s diversity. We take feedback seriously and have spent the last year reflecting and engaging with critical voices to review the awards. We know truth and reconciliation is a continuous and complex journey, where there is always more work to be done. We humbly vow to continue doing this work and acknowledge and own where we’ve fallen short along the way.
The Women of Distinction Awards are a vital platform celebrating remarkable women making an impact in our community. As we look ahead to next year’s program, we look forward to delivering a Women of Distinction Awards that honours the diverse achievements of women in our community, in a manner that truly represents our goal of empowering women in Saskatoon.
Read our Truth and Reconciliation Award 2023 Statement here.