In this episode, Matt interviews Karen Restoule on the challenge of Indigenous reconciliation in Canada. Restoule stresses that true reconciliation must begin by re-embracing the vision of coexistence enshrined in early agreements such as the Treaty of Niagara — a relationship based on mutual respect and shared sovereignty — and not merely through state apologies or symbolic gestures.

References

• Karen Restoule: Reconciliation requires looking back to move forward — The Hub (2025) https://thehub.ca/2025/09/30/karen-restoule-reconciliation-requires-looking-back-to-move-forward/
• Karen Restoule — profile and bio (Macdonald-Laurier Institute) https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/cm-expert/karen-restoule/
• “’The best is yet to come’ for Indigenous peoples: Karen Restoule on why reconciliation is a tangible goal and not a romantic notion” — Hub Dialogues (podcast) https://thehub.ca/podcast/audio/karen-restoule-on-why-reconciliation-is-a-tangible-goal-and-not-a-romantic-notion/
• “An Overview of the Indian Residential School System” — Union of Ontario Indians / research compiled by Karen Restoule (PDF) https://www.anishinabek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/An-Overview-of-the-IRS-System-Booklet.pdf
• Reconciliation Canada — about the non-profit working on reconciliation history & public awareness https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconciliation_Canada
• “The Baroness von Sketch Show” — sketch series (mentioned in episode) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlG17C19nYo
• Karen’s social media post with the map referred to in the episode: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7394536450693718016/
• Amber Midthunder’s guest appearance on Reservation Dogs (mentioned in episode) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8UpKVImNcU

Thanks to Our Patrons

Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask