Relational Visioning: Re-considering Approaches and Alternatives to ‘Reconciliation’ in Canada
Stephanie G. Erickson | University of Victoria
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0081-7830
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.71106/SZME2877
Publication: Social Justice Special Issue
Abstract | This paper explores various rhetorical approaches to the contemporary dialogue around reconciliation in Canada. Through a critical review of different forms of reconciliation, the author critiques these forms for their various advantages and disadvantages in efforts towards reconciliation. On the other side of these critiques, this paper gathers the reasoning and intention behind reconciliation to argue for new terminology that better expresses these sentiments. Drawing on her Indigenous language, Michif, and its culture to support this work, the author describes the concept of relational visioning as an approach to reconciliation in contemporary Canadian context.
Key words | Reconciliation, Canada, Residential School Project, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Relational Visioning, Indigenous Relations, Rhetoric, Michif, Language, Storytelling
Stephanie G. Erickson (serickson@uvic.ca) is of mixed ancestry (Red River Métis, Scandinavian, and German Mennonite) originally from Treaty 1 territory. She is a PhD candidate in the English department at the University of Victoria on the territories of the Lekwungen speaking peoples. Stephanie’s research is on Indigenous Futurism literatures as pathways of reconciliation in Canada. This work is SSHRC funded, and she is the recipient of a 2025 Trudeau Scholarship.
MLA Citation for this Article:
Erickson, Stephanie G. “Relational Visioning: Re-considering Approaches and Alternatives to ‘Reconciliation’ in Canada.” Language, Literature, and Interdisciplinary Studies, Social Justice Special Issue, 5 Jul. 2025, pp. 2.1–2.20, https://doi.org/10.71106/SZME2877.