Advancing Truth & Reconciliation Through Learning

In 2023 and again in 2025, the Vernon community embraced the opportunity to join a self-led journey of discovery, education, and community engagement. The goal of this initiative was to advance reconciliation through learning with a fun, interactive, and educational community experience, and to inspire individuals on their personal journeys toward Truth and Reconciliation.

The community came together to make it happen

Here's how it worked

Throughout September, learners visited the locations marked with an orange pin on the map

Orange and Brown Photo Geometric Breast Cancer AwarenessPink October Facebook Post (14).pn

They would read the thought-provoking question and scan the QR code on the orange circle posted in the window or door

Orange and Brown Photo Geometric Breast Cancer AwarenessPink October Facebook Post (15).pn

Learners would go inside and fill out a slip with their information and their answer to the orange circle question and place the slip in the box to be entered into a draw for a prize from that location

Then visit more locations to help advance reconciliation through learning and enter to win more local prizes!

The prize draws took place at the beginning of October and consisted of gift baskets from participating local businesses.

Stats and Impact

15 locations

1000 unique QR code scans

1600 prize draw entries

$600 raised for Indigenous organizations

Given that many learners traveled in groups and shared a single phone for QR code scans, the actual number of participants is likely much higher.

Individual people who entered locations to answer the thought-provoking question and enter to win.

Donations collected at participating establishments went directly to the Orange Shirt Society, Lil’ Red Dress Project, and the Language Nest at the Okanagan Indian Band.