Advancing Truth and Reconciliation
Paula Whitlow shapes our path forward as the first Director of Truth and Reconciliation
Paula speaking about her home Six Nations of the Grand River aka Ohsweken, being Wolf Clan from the Mohawk Nation, and how she feels most like herself cozy at home with her family.
In September 2022, the Region hired it’s first Director, Truth and Reconciliation, Paula Whitlow.
To meaningfully advance our future, we must acknowledge and learn from our past injustices, and act. Truth and Reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples is central to this.
“I came into the job with ‘the sky’s the limit’ approach, so I didn’t see anything that was ‘off limits’ so to speak. My approach is to be honest and authentic and continue on a path forward.“
“One of my proudest achievements has been building lasting relationships based on mutual respect, reminiscent of the two-row wampum and dish with one spoon. These relationships are not just professional courtesies; they are deep, respectful friendships with a promise of permanence.”
The Two Row Wampum originated from 1613 as a covenant between the Haudenosaunee and Dutch settlers. It symbolizes two parallel paths: one for Indigenous Peoples and the other for settlers, each maintaining their own traditions and governance while coexisting in peace with mutual respect. At the Region of Waterloo, we work to honour the Two Row Wampum treaty and its principles of Friendship, Peace Between Peoples, and Living In Parallel Forever. All of us are needed to build the community our future generations deserve.
The term Dish with One Spoon represents a commitment to peaceably share and care for the same lands and resources. It emphasizes the principle of taking only what one needs, leaving enough for others, and ensuring no violence or conflict.
It’s been eight years since the Calls to Action were released, and in those eight years, only eight Calls to Action have been completed. Despite Canada’s claim that the Calls to Action are a priority, the reality is Indigenous peoples in Canada continue to experience more inequities than ever before. Awareness of the larger picture is important.
As we focus on advancing the Calls to Action in the Region, we are aligning this work with our newly released Strategic Plan: Growing with Care. As the Region grows, we will continue to influence more holistic thinking and actions.
Artwork by Tsista Kennedy
The journey to Truth and Reconciliation is not easy, or simple — there are challenges but there is also beauty.
Introducing Indigenous ways of knowing into all that the Region does is a benefit to the entire community. Having a leader who works collaboratively and does not shy away from difficult paths that need to be taken is already making all the difference.
Learn more about how the Region is addressing Truth and Reconciliation.