We Need to Get Better at This! Pedagogies for Truth Telling About Colonial Violence

This article considers the importance of widespread teaching of colonial histories to future generations of students. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 2015 report, Calls to Action, asserts that the lack of historical knowledge among most Canadians has serious consequences for Indigenous peoples, and for Canada as a whole. Using the Responses to Interpersonal Violence framework, this paper explores the capacity of educators to teach colonial histories in a way that indicates supportive social responses and a recognition of the ongoing colonial violence lived by Indigenous peoples in Canada. It also makes recommendations on core principles of teaching colonial histories to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in a responsible way that respects the intentions of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.