Over the past decade, many organizations have taken meaningful steps toward reconciliation. Indigenous voices have become more visible, awareness has grown, and conversations that were once absent from many workplaces have become more common.
At the same time, many people are noticing a shift. Across communities, workplaces, and public discourse, conversations about reconciliation can feel increasingly polarized. Misinformation spreads quickly, harmful rhetoric continues to surface, and many people are uncertain about how to engage in these conversations productively.
For some, there is a fear of saying the wrong thing, while for others, there is frustration that progress feels slow. Some feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the work, while others question where they fit into the conversation or what meaningful action should look like.
Len Pierre, CEO of Len Pierre Consulting and one of Canada’s leading voices on Indigenous cultural safety and reconciliation, refers to this experience as reconciliation anxiety: the emotional, cognitive, and relational discomfort that can arise when individuals and organizations engage with the responsibilities of truth and reconciliation. While this discomfort is natural, it can become a barrier to learning, relationship-building, and meaningful action if left unaddressed. When approached with humility, courage, and support, however, it can become a catalyst for growth, accountability, and transformation.
The reality is that “reconciliation has never been about having all the answers. It is about being willing to stay engaged, continue learning, and move forward even when the path feels uncertain” says Pierre who often speaks about the importance of staying engaged in the work even when conversations become uncomfortable or uncertain.
Drawing on Indigenous approaches to learning, reflection, and relationship-building, the following five practices offer guidance for staying engaged in reconciliation even when the work feels challenging or complex.
5 Practices for Staying Engaged in Reconciliation
1. Slow Down Before You Speed Up
Many of us have been conditioned to believe that progress requires immediate action. When faced with uncertainty or difficult conversations, our instinct is often to look for quick answers or immediate solutions. Reconciliation, however, invites a different approach.
Some of the most meaningful learning happens when we pause long enough to reflect on our reactions, assumptions, and emotions before deciding what comes next. Slowing down does not mean avoiding action or delaying responsibility. Rather, it creates space to understand the situation more fully and respond with greater intention.
When conversations become uncomfortable, it can be helpful to ask: What is this experience trying to teach me?
Approaching challenges with curiosity rather than urgency often creates opportunities for deeper understanding and more meaningful growth.
2. Stay in Relationship
One of the strongest themes across Indigenous teachings is the importance of relationships. When people feel challenged, uncomfortable, or uncertain, there is often a tendency to withdraw. We avoid conversations, disengage from learning opportunities, or retreat to spaces where our views are reinforced rather than challenged.
Reconciliation requires the opposite. Meaningful progress happens through relationships with Indigenous Peoples, communities, colleagues, and one another. It is through listening, dialogue, and shared experiences that understanding develops and trust is built.
Rather than asking how to navigate difficult learning alone, consider asking: Who can help me carry this learning?
Staying connected during moments of discomfort often creates opportunities for growth that would not be possible in isolation.
3. Lead with Humility, Not Perfection
One of the most common barriers to engagement in reconciliation is the fear of making a mistake. Many people worry about saying the wrong thing, asking the wrong question, or unintentionally causing harm. While these concerns often come from a place of good intention, they can sometimes prevent people from engaging altogether.
Reconciliation is not a process that demands perfection. It is a process that requires humility. Humility allows us to acknowledge that we do not know everything. It invites us to listen, remain teachable, and learn from our mistakes rather than becoming defensive when they occur.
A useful question to carry forward is: What can I learn from this moment?
Approaching reconciliation as a lifelong learning journey creates more space for growth than approaching it as a test we must pass.
4. Return to Your Values
Conversations about reconciliation can sometimes feel overwhelming, particularly when they intersect with broader social, political, or organizational challenges. In moments of uncertainty, values can provide an important anchor. Whether your values include respect, compassion, integrity, courage, curiosity, or accountability, they can help guide your decisions when the path forward feels unclear.
Rather than focusing solely on finding the perfect response or solution, it can be helpful to ask: What value am I trying to honour in this moment?
Values may not eliminate complexity, but they can help us navigate it with greater confidence and consistency.
5. Take the Next Right Step
The scope of reconciliation can feel overwhelming. Many people understand that there is important work to be done but struggle to determine where to begin. Others feel discouraged by the size of the challenge or worry that their individual actions will not make a meaningful difference.
Reconciliation is not achieved through a single initiative, training session, or conversation. It is built through a series of ongoing actions, commitments, and relationships over time.
Rather than focusing on everything that remains to be done, focus on the next meaningful step available to you. That step may involve learning more about Indigenous history, engaging in a conversation, strengthening a relationship, examining a workplace practice, or listening to an Indigenous perspective.
The question is not whether you can solve every challenge at once. The question is: What is one action I can take today that contributes to meaningful progress?
Responding to Resistance and Difficult Conversations
As conversations about reconciliation continue to evolve, many people will encounter differing perspectives, misinformation, or resistance. While it can be tempting to respond with frustration or debate, a more effective approach is often grounded in truth, curiosity, and respect.
This begins by sharing accurate information calmly and confidently rather than trying to win an argument. It also involves creating space to understand where someone’s beliefs or concerns may have originated before immediately attempting to correct them. At the same time, there are moments when harmful comments or behaviours must be addressed directly and clear boundaries need to be established.
Navigating these situations is not always easy, however, approaching them with a commitment to learning, accountability, and human dignity can help create more productive conversations while protecting those who may be impacted by harmful rhetoric.
Reconciliation Is an Ongoing Practice
One of the greatest misconceptions about reconciliation is that it is a destination that can eventually be reached and completed when in reality, reconciliation is an ongoing practice. It is built through learning, relationship-building, reflection, and action. It asks us to remain curious, examine our assumptions, and continue engaging even when conversations become difficult.
There will always be moments of uncertainty. There will always be opportunities to learn more. There will always be differing perspectives and challenging conversations to navigate.
Meaningful progress comes from continuing to show up with humility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. By slowing down, staying in a relationship, returning to our values, and taking the next right step, we create the conditions for stronger relationships, deeper understanding, and more meaningful progress toward reconciliation.
As Len Pierre reminds us, reconciliation is meant to be a bridge, not a battleground. The work moves forward not through certainty or perfection, but through a shared commitment to learning, relationship, and moving forward together.
This article was inspired by teachings and insights shared by Len Pierre, CEO of Len Pierre Consulting, on Indigenous cultural safety, reconciliation, and navigating difficult conversations in today’s environment.
