Truth Telling Circles by Impacted Persons
History has shown us that often Truth and Reconciliation efforts can leave impacted peoples without healing from the trauma of the loss of loved ones and without their individual dignity. The underlying systemic trauma of conflicts, often rooted in racism and classism, is frequently not given space for truth-telling and healing. As such, our process will focus on the ability for individual and collective healing through the power of human encounters. These TTCs will provide a virtual or in-person space for children, youth, and family members to share their involvement with child welfare systems and shape future ways to support their communities. Formal government-sponsored truth-telling efforts far too often limit who speaks their truths. We are dedicated to creating truth-telling processes that accept testimony from anyone and in any form—written and video statements, song, art, poetry, photography, to name a few. Those who submit testimony will control their narrative and its various future uses.