Our Kids Network is offering a free, online course, ‘Four Seasons of Reconciliation’, designed with the intention to enrich Canadians’ understanding and knowledge of Truth and Reconciliation. Registration is expected to remain open until sometime in May, 2023.

The Our Kids Network (OKN) is a partnership of agencies and organizations serving children, youth and families across the community of Halton, Ontario. As part of its Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation Initiatives, OKN is offering the ‘Four Seasons of Reconciliation” course to anyone who wishes to register.

In a media release, Indigenous Strategy Manager Angela Bellegarde says, “The course provides basic knowledge of Truth and Reconciliation, including the legacy and lasting trauma of Residential Schools. It’s eye-opening – even shocking – for most people, because so much of the Indigenous experience is still unknown or only recently being heard in meaningful ways.” She expresses her strong belief that “reconciliation is among the top issues that will define this time in our country’s history. Your grandchildren will ask you what you did to seek out Indigenous perspectives on Canada’s past and how you helped move Truth and Reconciliation forward.”

The course is free, self-paced, and offered online. The release notes, “Well known Canadian Indigenous issues experts and champions contribute to the content, sharing compelling perspectives and stories”. OKN has offered the course since October, 2021, to local professionals working with children, youth and families, but are now encouraging anyone who is interested to sign up. Those who have taken the course so far have found that the ten modules took about two to three hours to complete. The course is multi-media and includes videos, reading and quizzes. There is a certificate of completion at the end of the course. The registration link can be found at https://www.ourkidsnetwork.ca/Public/4-Seasons-Course-Registration

An additional resource bank of over 20 hours of bonus learning through award-winning films and videos is available after the course.