The contributors are (in no particular order):
- Carleigh Baker (Vancouver)
- Joanna Streetly (Tofino)
- Erika Luckert (Edmonton/New York City)
- Donna Kane (Dawson Creek)
- Kamala Todd (Vancouver/Sunshine Coast)
- Zacharias Kunuk (Igloolik)
- Steven Cooper with Twyla Campbell (Sherwood Park, AB)
- Katherin Edwards (Kamloops)
- Carol Shaben (Vancouver)
- Katherine Palmer Gordon (Gabriola Island)
- Rhonda Kronyk (Edmonton)
- Emma LaRocque (Winnipeg)
- Lorri Neilsen Glenn (Halifax)
- Carissa Halton (Edmonton)
- Antoine Mountain (Toronto and NWT)
In an afterword that is essentially a candid converstaion between Chief Justice Murray Sinclair and renowned CBC radio host Shelagh Rogers, Sinclair shares his thoughts just as he wraps up the executive summary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He says one of the most common statements the commission heard was: “I didn’t know any of this, and I acknowledge that things are not where they should be, and that we can do better. But what can we do? What should we do?” This collection is a response to what we can do.
The project was inspired in part by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission but also by Edmonton’s Year of Reconciliation and the Idle No More movement. Metcalfe-Chenail is convinced that Canadians want an open dialogue that encourages everyone to begin the important work of reconciliation in Canada, and maintain the conversation long after the buzz of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report has faded.