Sandra Gosling

Reducing inequality has always been an important and motivating goal for me. To me, the work begins with recognizing and honouring the expert-knowledge and power that is peoples’ lived experiences. From my experience, many marginalized communities already have the policy-based solutions to many identified social issues, but they receive little to no resources to lead any meaningful change. Policy decisions are frequently made behind closed doors, with little to no community engagement, and as a result, can cause more harm than good to communities. Therefore, my personal mission is to walk beside marginalized groups, to recognize their agency, build upon their pre-existing strengths and resources, and bring their voices to decision-making tables. I wish to build and support healthy and resilient communities to address the impacts of systemic inequalities, and to deconstruct the systems of power and inequality.

Many Indigenous communities in Canada live within complex realities of geographic isolation, insufficient infrastructure, colonial trauma, extreme rates of violence, and many poor health outcomes.  In addition, Indigenous peoples and communities suffer further consequences and trauma due to disproportionally high incarceration, apprehension, and murder rates.  Hundreds of Calls to Action have been formally submitted to the federal government on two separate occasions: the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, 2015; and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, 2019. It is time to implement those calls to action. If we wish to see better outcomes across Canada, and to reduce public spending on costly issues such as homelessness, incarceration, or foster care, then power and resources need to be returned to Indigenous communities.

As a meaningful step forward in reconciliation, and a road to a safer, healthier, and happier society, we need to provide Indigenous communities with the necessary resources to meet their basic human rights. I have seen immense strength, resilience, and motivation within Indigenous communities, as they continue to preserve and compile the few resources, they have to create meaningful change for their people. If Indigenous communities have more say in the decisions that directly affect their lives, then 2030 could begin to look more equitable and sustainable. A more equitable and sustainable future includes equitable access to healthcare, nutritious food, clean water, and housing for rural and remote communities; it requires ensuring the protection of Indigenous women, girls, youth, and other vulnerable groups from colonial threats such as loss of land use and culture, human trafficking, drugs, or gangs; it demands the provision of physiological and safety resources for families to promote stronger, healthy, and happier community relationships; and finally, it compels us to strengthen the sense of agency and resiliency, and the reclamation of Indigenous culture.