Indigenization and Decolonization
This page includes highlights about what actions are happening now, our hopes for the future and roles involved in this stream.
Decolonization is the process of undoing colonial systems, structures, and ideologies to restore autonomy, sovereignty, and cultural identity to Indigenous peoples and nations that were subjected to colonial rule.
Indigenization, on the other hand, moves beyond tokenistic gestures of recognition or inclusion to meaningfully change ethnocentric and colonial practices and structures. Power dominance and control are rebalanced and returned to Indigenous peoples, and Indigenous ways of knowing and doing are perceived, presented, and practiced as equal to Eurocentric or colonial ways of knowing and doing.
If decolonization is the removal or undoing of colonial elements, then Indigenization is the addition or redoing of Indigenous elements.
What Our Evidence Tells Us
Our 2023 JAIDE Survey demonstrated:
Representation matters.
2% of the employees who responded to our JAIDE survey in 2023 identified as Indigenous.
Belonging matters.
Half (50%) of these employees have experienced anti-Indigenous racism.
Stopping harm matters.
All (2%) have witnessed ant-Indigenous racism.
The Impact We Hope to Achieve
By rooting our YMCA in anti-colonial and non-Eurocentric ways of being - our hope is that we build trust, truth and transparency towards new pathways with Indigenous communities, so that we can be a place where these communities feel a sense of belonging.
By developing a foundation of relationship and trust with our Indigenous partnerships, we hope to increase Indigenous employee and leadership representation within our Y.
We will also look to evaluate our environmental impact and sustainability with an Indigenouslens to honour land stewardship.
Click into the sections below to see the steps we are currently taking to make an impact in this stream. This section is updated frequently and a part of our ongoing commitment and accountability towards action.
IN ACTION
One Year Update
Sharing Circles & Learning Opportunities
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Introducing sharing circles at the Child Care Managers Meeting to support leaders in bringing this practice to their teams.
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OLT sharing circle opportunity introduced, with leaders encouraged to bring this practice back to their teams, a template is being developed to support this work.
Gatherings & Knowledge Sharing
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Participating in the 2026 Indigenous Programs Gathering at the YMCA Camp Chief Hector in Kananaskis, Alberta, to learn, grow and strengthen Indigenous programs and our commitment to Reconciliation. YMCA of Three Rivers was represented by two attendees, including one panelist sharing our camp partnership with CSL.
Spaces & Practices
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Exploring the possibility of a smudge-friendly room in the YMCA of Three Rivers Guelph, examining how we can communicate about this space and how to properly use it.
Territory Acknowledgement
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Working toward the creation and installation of territory acknowledgement plaques at all Health and Wellness locations, with a targeted completion date of Orange Shirt Day (September 30).
Partnerships & Commitments
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In partnership with the Region of Waterloo and their Access and Inclusion Plan, our Child Care and EarlyON teams have established an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) commitment aligned with our JAIDE priorities.
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In 2026, our focus area is Reconciliation — strengthening relationships with Indigenous organizations, Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers to inform our program practices.
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We will review the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action with all levels of our EYCC Teams to create a plan(s) to implement the recommendations relevant to our organization, departments and EYCC sites.
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An EarlyON and Child Care learning day will focus on Indigenous learning with the theme “Finding Your Voice, Finding Your Story”, encouraging dialogue and supporting continued learning on individual journey's of Reconciliation.
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