Big change can sometimes start with small actions. There are many small, kind gestures we make part of our daily lives to make our communities a better place. They can be as simple as holding a door open for a stranger, a smile at a cashier or a wave to a construction worker.
This past month has reminded me that there’s another small act in our lives that can have a big impact. The act of listening. Throughout this month, we’ve had the chance to listen to impactful stories that continue throughout the year.
June is Indigenous History Month, with National Indigenous Peoples Day taking place a few days ago on June 21. Throughout the month, we’ve seen many events like the Change-Makers Gathering Festival and the arrival of the 60’s Scoop exhibit at the Greater Victoria Public Library.
June 23 – July 2 is also Pride Week across Greater Victoria, with events including the parade, festival, and softball game. The Maritime Museum is currently showing an exhibit titled “Queer at Sea: Tales from the 2SLGBTQ+ Community,” featuring a series of powerful and moving tales from queer and trans community members in their own words.
The many events that took place this month feature individuals and organizations sharing their important and unique stories. I think of the many Indigenous community members sharing their culture and stories so that we may reflect and continue the necessary dialogue on reconciliation. I also think of the many members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community celebrating but also fighting to increase visibility, representation and equity for all.
These stories are a reminder that creating a vibrant, caring community for all starts with listening. Also, sharing these stories not only this month but year-round, can help amplify them. By continuing to listen, we can help expand their platform while reflecting on issues facing communities that we may not be a part of.
This year’s Victoria Foundation Vital Signs survey asks, “what does community mean to you?” I believe that part of inclusion is recognizing that community means something different to many individuals and groups. The Vital Signs survey is one part of our commitment to listening to the community and working to create a vibrant, caring, and inclusive community for all. If you have not yet, I encourage you to take a few minutes out of your day to complete the survey on our website at VictoriaFoundation.bc.ca.
Now, more than ever, we need a little kindness in our lives, and sometimes it starts with small gestures. So, the next time you hold open the door or flash a smile to a stranger, think about the power of listening. That simple act can go a long way to making inclusion part of our daily lives.
