National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Honouring the Past, Acting in the Present

By Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC | Founder of Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.    

September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—a time for reflection, remembrance, and action.  It’s a day to honour the thousands of children who never returned home from residential schools, to acknowledge the survivors who carry the burden of trauma, and to recognize the intergenerational impacts that continue to reverberate within Indigenous families and communities.

However, this day is also a reminder that reconciliation is not a passive word—it is a call to action.  It demands more than just recognition; it requires real political will, joint leadership, trust-building, accountability, transparency, and, perhaps most importantly, a substantial investment of resources in communities that continue to heal from centuries of colonization.

Reconciliation is not just about remembering the past—it’s about rebuilding relationships in the present and working together for a more equitable future.

The Road Ahead: Where We Are Today

While we’ve seen some positive steps since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released its 94 Calls to Action in 2015, many of these calls—especially those pertaining to mental health, justice, and access to culturally relevant care—remain unmet.

Here in Nova Scotia, where Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc. is proudly located, Indigenous people still face significant systemic barriers that prevent full participation in society.  The challenges are deeply embedded in history, yet they persist today.  These challenges include:

·       Underfunded mental health supports that fail to meet the unique needs of Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous communities.

·       The lack of culturally safe and trauma-informed care for Indigenous peoples.

·       Geographical and financial barriers that make consistent, quality services inaccessible to many.

·       Intergenerational trauma, exacerbated by the legacy of residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, and ongoing involvement with child welfare systems.

·       Discrimination and systemic inequities in education, healthcare, housing, and the justice system.

These realities are not just abstract statistics—they are lived experiences for many families in our province.  To say that reconciliation is a complex and ongoing process would be an understatement.  There is still much work to do, and the road ahead requires all of us to reflect on our roles in creating the change that’s needed.

A Call to Action: What Venture Counselling Is Doing

At Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc., we recognize the deeply rooted and multifaceted nature of colonial violence.  We also recognize the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples as they continue to reclaim their narratives, cultures, and healing.

That’s why we are committed to ensuring that every Indigenous person who walks through our doors is met with respect, dignity, and culturally sensitive care.  We know that healing begins with creating safe spaces where people feel heard, valued, and understood—not just as clients, but as unique individuals with histories, families, and cultures that deserve respect.

We proudly offer direct billing to Indigenous bands and the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program, which supports the mental health needs of First Nations people.  This is a crucial service for many Indigenous families who face financial barriers to accessing essential care.  It is our responsibility to ensure that cost is not a barrier to healing.

Through our work, we aim to be part of the solution, not just by providing care, but by listening deeply, collaborating with Indigenous communities, and continuously questioning and refining our own practices to ensure they are decolonized, inclusive, and empowering.

Embodying Our Values at Venture Counselling

Our clinic’s values are a reflection of our commitment to reconciliation, respect, and social justice.  These values guide everything we do:

·       Respect – We approach each client with deep respect for their unique culture, story, and healing journey.  We are mindful of the historical trauma that shapes each individual’s experience and honour the cultural healing practices that support recovery.

·       Collaboration – We believe that healing is a collaborative process.  We work closely with Indigenous clients to ensure that the care they receive aligns with their values, needs, and traditions.  We also build partnerships with Indigenous communities to further support collective healing.

·       Accountability – As an organization, we hold ourselves accountable for ensuring our services are culturally safe and meet the highest standards of care.  We continuously evaluate and improve our practices to ensure that we are creating spaces of belonging and equity for Indigenous clients.

·       Compassion – We approach all of our clients, especially Indigenous families, with compassion and understanding.  We recognize the pain and trauma caused by colonialism and strive to provide a space where healing, connection, and growth can take place.

A Personal Note: Breaking Generational Cycles

Growing up in foster care, I lived through 22 homes before the age of 12.  Like many, I was deeply affected by the generational trauma that shaped my early years.  Although I was fortunate enough to eventually find stability, I carry with me the understanding of how difficult it is to break free from a cycle of hurt, pain, and disconnection.

As I reflect on my own journey and the resilience it took to overcome those generational scars, I see the strength of the Indigenous communities we serve today.  Their journey—while unique—is also one of breaking cycles and reclaiming the healing that is rightfully theirs.  And while I recognize the differences in our lived experiences, there is a shared understanding of the struggles that come with growing up in systems that are not designed to support us.

The creation of Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc. was not only a professional decision—it was a personal one.  It’s about disrupting cycles.  It’s about becoming the person I needed as a child and extending that support to others who are still navigating trauma.  It’s about offering the very things I didn’t have: a sense of belonging, stability, and a path to healing.

On September 30, we encourage everyone to do more than wear orange.

We encourage you to read the TRC Calls to Action and actively engage with Indigenous communities.  Support Indigenous-led initiatives, amplify Indigenous voices, and acknowledge your own role in creating a more just and equitable society.

This is not a one-day action; reconciliation requires commitment and action every day.

To our Indigenous clients—we see you.  We honour your pain, your strength, and your resilience.  If you are looking for a safe space to heal, we are here.  We walk this path with you, in solidarity, humility, and with deep respect for the journey you are on.

 Every child matters. Every truth matters. Every voice matters. 

In solidarity,

Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC

Founder & Clinical Director, Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.