At about this time next year, Vancouver will host one of the seven national events central to Canada’s formal Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), addressing the atrocities of the Indian residential school system. Powerful as this event will no doubt be, it is in essence a Truth Commission. Whether it brings reconciliation is up to all of us.

For over 150 years the Canadian government, along with the Catholic, Anglican, and United churches, ran residential schools across the country. More than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were forcibly removed from their communities to attend these schools, whose intention was to “take the Indian out of the child.” Along with aggressive cultural assimilation, the residential schools were plagued by high levels of physical and sexual abuse, and staggering mortality rates. And because the schools broke apart families and communities, their impact continues to be felt through generations.

This is our shared Canadian history. Regardless of cultural background, or religious affiliation, we as a society are responsible for making amends for these atrocities.

From Sept. 18-21, 2013, hundreds of people will gather in Vancouver, including appearances from politicians and heads of religious institutions, to bear witness to the painful stories of residential school survivors. There will be news coverage, and we will cry, and then the four-day event will conclude, and we will return to the status quo. Or not

In format, these national events function as sites for truth telling, listening, public awareness and education. As such, they are an invaluable component of a collective healing process. But their impact is only as significant as we collectively choose. The reconciliation is ours to make happen. And right now there is no shortage of opportunities for Canadians, and especially British Columbians, to be engaging in authentic reconciliation.

Dr. Cindy Blackstock, advocate for First Nations children and families in Canada defines reconciliation as “never having to say you’re sorry twice.” Yet we are in danger of having to do just that.

In March 2010, nine First Nations from the Central and North Pacific Coast and Haida Gwaii signed the Coastal First Nations Declaration, upholding their ancestral laws, rights and responsibilities in banning oilsands supertankers from their traditional territory. The following December, 66 First Nations across British Columbia signed the Save the Fraser Declaration, an indigenous law banning oilsands pipelines through First Nations territories in the Fraser River basin. Since then more than 40 additional First Nations from across B.C., Alberta and the Northwest Territories have signed the document, forming an unbroken wall from the U.S. border to the Arctic Ocean.

In the case of these pipelines and oil tankers, reconciliation means not having to apologize after an inevitable oil spill. It means standing in solidarity with aboriginal people, shoulder to shoulder, as part of that unbreakable wall.

Right in the heart of Vancouver, another such opportunity exists. Since May 3, Musqueam community members have been keeping vigil over the unearthed remains of their ancestors at the Village and Midden site — also known as Marpole Midden and the Great Fraser Midden — under the south end of the Arthur Laing Bridge. The area is designated as a Canadian National Historic Site, containing priceless artifacts and undisturbed intact burials of Musqueam people. It has also been slated for condo development. Since the intact burials of ancestors were unearthed in January, Musqueam has been involved in an ongoing struggle to negotiate an acceptable resolution.

Since January, hundreds of people have showed their support for the Musqueam by writing letters, visiting the site, dropping off food, and honking their horns in support as they drive by

Similarly, thousands of people have expressed solidarity with the Coastal First Nations and Save the Fraser Declarations, participating in rallies led by aboriginal leaders, and raising their own voices in opposition to pipelines and increased tanker traffic in B.C.

These aren’t individual issues, nor are they isolated situations of agreement. Through forums such as the TRC, Canadians are learning about the devastating atrocities committed upon the aboriginal people of this land, and are responding.

Canada is in the midst of an important Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Now is the time for Canadians to step up and truly engage in reconciliation.

Rhiannon Bennett is a member of the Musqueam Indian Band. Christine Boyle is the director of Spirited Social Change.