Moving Forward on Reconciliation
The Government of Canada and organizations across the nation are striving to foster new attitudes and perspectives on Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. This involves addressing past harms, supporting strong and healthy communities, and advancing self-determination and prosperity. True Mechanical is proud to be part of this vital journey.
Our Truth and Reconciliation Journey
We believe in engaging people in genuine dialogue and revitalizing the relationships between Indigenous peoples and all Canadians. We aim to understand our diverse histories in more depth and weave them into the fabric of our own lives. We actively engage multi-faith and multi-cultural communities to explore the meaning of reconciliation. We support the Government’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its Calls to Action Report.
Everyone has an important role to play in reconciliation. It begins with oneself and extends into our families, relationships, workplaces, and communities. We are working on developing meaningful partnerships with First Nation organizations and community outreach programs to integrate our efforts into a collective movement.
Partnering with Traditional First Nations Artist
As part of our Truth and Reconciliation journey, we partnered with First Nations Artist ČuxWiiNuup [Chukh-wee-noop] to depict our core values through traditional artwork. ČuxWiiNuup belongs to the Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka) community, rooted in the traditional lands on the western shores of Vancouver Island. We will be lovingly applying this artwork across our company assets as a gesture towards our alignment with the country’s journey towards togetherness.
The Meaning Behind the Artwork
The three sacred animals portrayed in the artwork beautifully embody the spirit of TRUE’s foundational values within a singular, profound depiction:
- Be Real: Represented by the Killer Whale, symbolizing family, honesty, and community, standing as the “Lord of the Ocean.”
- Be Connected: Represented by the Eagle, situated in the pectoral fin, signifying strength, peace, leadership, and ultimate prestige, serving as the “Master of the Sky.”
- Be Brilliant & True: Represented by the Raven, portrayed in the dorsal fin, embodying knowledge, creation, and transformation, serving as a guardian of truth.
About the Artist
ČuxWiiNuup’s western name is Bill Morris Jr. (read more about recognizing ancestral, ceremonial, and spiritual names here, and see Call to Action 17 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report here).
ČuxWiiNuup is a self-taught artist residing in Port Alberni. He began his artistic journey by making paddles for his parents when they went on canoe journeys. Although his father, a residential school survivor turned logger, was initially unimpressed, ČuxWiiNuup found inspiration from his uncle and great artists like Bill Reid, Tim Paul, and Sam Haiupus.
Passionate about his art, ČuxWiiNuup has made it his career. He sells his work through his Facebook page and constantly explores new formats. He has worked on ceremonial rattles, cedar boxes, halibut hooks, canvas, and tattoo designs to date. Collaborating with companies on their path to reconciliation is a new venture for ČuxWiiNuup and one he eagerly pursues.
“Music and song was my doorway to my own culture. I learned how to sing with my brother, then learned traditional dance with him. He was better at singing but I was better at dance. I wanted to learn about my culture so I could pass it to my 4 children.”
Land Acknowledgement
True Mechanical acknowledges with gratitude the beautiful place where we live, work, and play. These lands are the traditional territory of the Coast Salish people, including the nations of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh [Ss-KAW-hoh-mesh] (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ [tSLAY-wah-tooth] (Tsleil-Waututh), and the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
