Truth and Reconciliation
Why Telling the Whole Story Matters
Growing up as part of the Caribbean diaspora and in the Greater Toronto Area, I was always aware of the stories that weren’t being told, or were only told in fragments. We celebrated our music, festivals, and food but the deeper histories, like the ones tied to colonialism and resilience weren’t always part of classroom lessons or mainstream conversation.
Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada isn’t just a “day off” or a symbolic gesture. It’s about recognizing harm, telling the whole story, and creating space for voices that have been historically silenced. For many of us in the Caribbean diaspora, there’s a parallel: the histories of our people are often oversimplified to make them seem less egregious.
If we want to make a real impact, we have to start with truth. That means being honest about what has been done and how it continues to affect people. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary.
As a book coach and parent coach, one of the values I hold most dearly is helping people tell their stories with authenticity. Whether guiding a client through a manuscript or coaching a young person to find their voice, I’ve learned that truth is powerful. It validates experience, builds connection, equipping others to speak up for themselves. Supporting people to use their voices responsibly is, in many ways, a form of reconciliation—reconciling what was silenced with what deserves to be heard.
For Indigenous or Caribbean families, truly anyone navigating diasporic identities, this work can feel deeply personal. It’s about understanding how history shapes us, and then choosing how we carry it forward. By honouring the truth, we make space for healing and all of the generational knowledge that can, and should be passed forward.
So today, I encourage you to reflect:
What stories are you telling?
Whose voices are you amplifying?
And how are you showing up to make sure the truth isn’t left untold?
If we truly want to support others in using their voices, we have to start with our own.
