Reconciliation is dead | Lori Campbell | TEDxKitchenerED

“Reconciliation is dead, or so it has been said. But is that really so?” In this timely and powerful talk, Lori Campbell speaks about what reconciliation with Indigenous communities is not, while giving us all some steps to take as a path forward to reviving it. Acknowledging that reconciliation has been quite the buzz word since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Lori argues that reconciliation isn’t actually dead unless we choose to let it die.

Lori Campbell has made it her career, personally and professionally, advocating for social justice and working towards a more equitable society for all. She started out working with at-risk youth, later moved into public housing, and then became a victim services resource officer before moving into post-secondary. Now, with over 12 years of progressive leadership that comprises contributions in student services, academics, research and administration, Lori is an experienced leader in post-secondary education with a proven track record particularly in advancing processes of Indigenization and reconciliation. She currently holds the position of Director, Shatitsirótha’ Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre St. Paul’s University College.
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Lori is a 2-Spirit nēhiyaw āpihtākosisān iskwew (Cree-Métis) and her family is original from Treaty 6 territory. She is an intergenerational survivor of the Indian Residential School system and a child from the Sixties Scoop generation. She is proud to say that over the last 25 years she has managed to locate and contact not only her birth mom, but all 6 of her living siblings. Her life experiences have contributed not only to her understanding of Indigenous issues, but also to her passion for education. Lori holds two undergraduate degrees (Indigenous Studies and Psychology), a master’s degree in Adult Education and is currently working towards a PhD in Social Justice Education through the University of Toronto.
Lori Campbell has made it her career, personally and professionally, advocating for social justice and working towards a more equitable society for all. With over 12 years of progressive leadership that comprises contributions in student services, academics, research and administration, Lori is an experienced leader in post-secondary education with a proven track record particularly in advancing processes of Indigenization and reconciliation. She currently holds the position of Director, Shatitsirótha’ Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre St. Paul’s University College.

[shanspice]

Thrilled at the opportunity to learn from Lori this term at the University of Waterloo!

[lubnajahan]

You are a superhero and an outstanding speaker. Lots of Respect.

[demcnair]

Excellent talk. Thank you for sharing.

[miriam]

I've learned so much this past 7 months and happy I did - a real eye-opener and also a good foundation to build relationships which have started too! Miigwetch!

[AnnaLVajda]

You have to accept it is not just an Indigenous issue though isolated tribes are often worse effected. Victims are often isolated they like to get you alone is all.

[tanler]

If reconciliation means supporting indigenous peoples no matter what they do or what they stand for, then it has a bleak future.

[josepharnold]

Although the implementation might have been flawed, the basic concept of the residential schools to inculcate a modicum of ambition and personal worth, was valid. Several generations after the cancellation of the program, we still have our natives indulging in their "cultures" of indolence, dependency, addiction, etc. Like any family's wayward son, some "tough love" is appropriate: IF YOU PERSIST IN YOUR WRONG LIFESTYLE, DO NOT EXPECT ME TO SUPPORT YOU!!!