Opinion-Editorial Response re: Truth and Reconciliation ( CANADIAN EDITION)

For this assignment, each student will submit a written response in the form of an Opinion- Editorial to the comment made by Chief Littlechild that reconciliation “is not an Aboriginal issue, it’s a Canadian issue—and urgent priority for everyone” in the article, “What do Ontarians really think about reconciliation?” (Parkin, 2018 January 10) available at https://munkschool.utoronto.ca/mowatcentre/what-do-ontarians-really-think-about- reconciliation/.

An Opinion-Editorial [Op-Ed] “provides a forum for well-referenced, expert opinion on topical issues” (Sage Journals, 2020). Through Op-Eds, storytelling shifts from the domain of journalists to the public, enabling each of us to share “what we know” and educate the public about different ways to understand an issue, including health issues, in an evidence-informed way. Both qualitative and quantitative evidence are generally included, as well as personal perspectives (opinion) and professional critiques (editorial).

Students are encouraged to reflect on which audience would benefit most from their response to the comments made by Chief Littlechild, and identify a publication that could reach that audience with an Op-Ed. Students might consider, for example, an online news source (e.g. The Toronto Star), a nursing professional journal (e.g. a peer-reviewed or organizational journal e.g. CNA), or a social media site targeting faculty, staff and students at York University (e.g. Yfile). Students should start by, (1) stating their position in response to the CBC article in 1-2 sentences, and then (2) construct an argument by:

a. Summarizing the TRC final report, highlighting the findings most relevant to their discussion;

Last revised December 30, 2020

HH/NURS 4370 Juergensen Winter 2021 7

b. Providing examples of other position statements on the topic (e.g. UNDRIP, Indigenous organizations, Government of Canada, CINA or the RNAO);

c. Sharing qualitative and quantitative evidence to support their position; and

d. Contextualizing their stance in the meaning of health and healing from a nursing lens (impact on education, administration, research and/or clinical outcomes) that accounts for historical Settler-Indigenous relations and reconciliation.

Evidence provided must include benchmarks related to the social determinants of health as well as the perspectives from testimony of Indigenous peoples. Overall, the assignment should reflect the student’s understanding of the content of the final report of the TRC, at least 2 challenges associated with implementing the calls to action, and the implications from a nursing perspective about what is required for reconciliation.

– please use pictures within text ( may make it look like newspaper)