Ally Is a Verb: A Guide to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

Ally is a Verb Book Summary

Ally Is a Verb: A Guide to Reconciliation with Indigenous People by Rose LeMay was recommended by a colleague who serves with me on the national board of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. I’m glad I followed her suggestion. Even with experience working at the KE MAMA NNANIK program, when it was Canada’s first Indigenous family resource centre, and mentoring an Indigenous leader in professional speaking, I still had much to learn and reflect on.

Resilience of all people in Canada is important to me, including our Indigenous neighbours. To that end, I learned that allyship requires understanding Canada’s history of racism toward Indigenous peoples and which perspectives and actions respectfully support reconciliation. I also took comfort in realizing that while I still have much to learn, allyship does not require perfection, only a willingness to listen, learn, and act.

Overview of Ally is a Verb

LeMay addresses the question many non-Indigenous people ask: “How can I help?” when it comes to advancing truth and reconciliation. She offers clear education, guidance on respectful engagement, practical do’s and don’ts, concrete actions, and a hopeful path forward for Canadians seeking to build stronger relationships with Indigenous peoples.

Chapters

Putting Allyship into Action (introduction)

1. Reconciliation Starts with You (describes inequities faced by Indigenous people and the role of non-Indigenous people in addressing them)
2. Unpacking the Great Canadian Lie (explains the historical circumstances affecting Indigenous peoples and the need for Canadians to be informed and engaged in reconciliation)
3. Challenging Interpersonal Racism (encourages individuals to examine and change harmful beliefs and behaviours)
4. Challenging Institutional Racism (offers ideas for addressing systemic racism in workplaces and communities)
5. Lending Your Voice, Influence and Privilege (guides non-Indigenous people in practicing allyship)
6. Getting Uncomfortable about Discomfort (explores the challenges of choosing to be an ally)
7. Finding Hope and Vision (offers a framework for moving forward together)

Main Concepts

One: Become Informed

Research and learn. There are nearly 700 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities in Canada, each with histories shaped by colonization. Understanding this history and much more is an important step toward reconciliation. Here are several suggestions LeMay offers;

10 Ways to Become Informed and Engage:

1. Read or listen to survivor testimonies in The Survivors Speak: A Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
2. Watch survivor stories from the Legacy of Hope Foundation.
3. Learn about healing and redress through the Canadian Geographic Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada 
4. Bring Indigenous-authored books into your book club or reading circle.
5. Attend local Indigenous events such as pow wows, cultural gatherings, or fundraisers.
6. Support Indigenous artists and businesses, and learn the cultural meaning of the items you purchase.
7. Learn the Indigenous territory where you live using Native Land Digital
   native-land.ca
8. Speak with other allies and share ideas for meaningful action.
9. Talk with children and youth about reconciliation, provide books by Indigenous authors, and ensure accurate history is being taught in schools.
10. Access Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Two: The Truth of our Canadian History

Indigenous history in Canada is marked by colonization rooted in racist beliefs that justified the capture of Indigenous lands, the suppression of cultures, and policies such as the Indian Act and residential schools that removed children from their families and restricted basic rights. Even more they were not schools but places of child neglect, abuse, and death.

For generations, governments controlled Indigenous lives while portraying these actions as benevolent, leaving lasting and harmful wounds that continue to affect communities today. Modern reconciliation efforts seek to confront this history, address systemic inequities, and rebuild relationships based on truth, rights, and respect.

Three: All Canadians Need to Challenge Racism

In Ally is a Verb, LeMay defines interpersonal and institutional racism. Interpersonal racism occurs in everyday interactions when individuals express prejudice, unconscious privilege, stereotypes, or discriminatory behaviour toward others because of their identity. Institutional racism occurs when laws, policies, and systems, often within government, healthcare, policing, and workplaces, create unequal treatment for Indigenous peoples and other racialized communities. Le-May again gives guidance for action.

10 Ideas to Challenge Racism

1. Step in rather than remain a bystander when you witness racist behaviour or comments.
2. Slow the situation by calmly interrupting, for example: “I’m not sure what’s happening here. Can I help?”
3. Practice calling in rather than calling out Invite the person to reflect and do better rather than only confronting them publicly.
4. Focus on the impact of behaviour, not just the intent, and encourage accountability.
5. Challenge statements such as “I didn’t mean it” by reminding others that impact matters more than intention.
6. Question blame the victim excuses by asking what evidence supports those assumptions.
7. Stand beside and support the person experiencing racism to ensure their safety and dignity.
8. Educate yourself and others about ongoing inequities affecting Indigenous communities.
9. Encourage workplaces to include anti-racism commitments in codes of conduct, policies, and procedures.
10. Learn about nearby Indigenous communities, their history, services, and current challenges to deepen understanding and advocacy.

Foue: Using Our Voices and Influence for Reconciliation

Being an ally is not a title someone gives themselves, but a commitment demonstrated through learning, respect, and action. Using our influence means sharing the truth about Canada’s history and encouraging others to support reconciliation.

Credibility in allyship is earned through cultural humility, respectful relationships, learning about Indigenous experiences, and acting in ways that support Indigenous self-determination rather than speaking over Indigenous voices.

Reconciliation also means addressing ongoing inequities and closing the gap. It means reducing disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in areas such as health, education, and economic opportunity.

7 Ideas to Use Our Voices

1. Share accurate information about reconciliation with others.
2. Encourage your workplace to consider how policies or decisions affect Indigenous peoples.
3. Use respectful terminology and challenge stereotypes or misinformation.
4. Amplify Indigenous voices, ideas, and leadership rather than speaking for them.
5. Support Indigenous self-determination and community-led solutions.
6. Ask how decisions, funding, or policies could help close gaps in outcomes.
7. Encourage organizations to include reconciliation and anti-racism commitments in policies.

A 2025 CTV Interview with Rose LeMay (2.31min)

Quotes from Ally is a Verb

1. “We are doing reconciliation in Canada because of the criminal acts done to Indigenous people in the past, and to fix the systems that still don’t serve them well today.”
2. “The history that Canada tells itself leaves out the whole story about Indigenous people.”
3. “First Nations use the word “story” to mean testimony and knowledge.”
4. “Every time in history when one group of people forces another group of people to use their customs, beliefs, and values, we call it colonization. And that’s a bad thing. When it’s done by force and thousands of children die, it’s genocide.”
5. “Canada wouldn’t exist without the theft of Indigenous land and removal of Indigenous people’s rights.”
6. “The differences in health outcomes between Indigenous people and non-Indigenous Canadians are like those between Sudan and Canada.”
7. “Reconciliation is a societal change, and societal changes are brought about by regular people influencing others around them.”
8. “Racism is the disease that threatens the soul of reconciliation.”
9. “We are attempting to build community and society in which indigenous people belong.”
10. Allyship is skill, practice, and art, just like an athlete builds capacity for next-level sports.
11. “The necessary next step is to risk one’s own comfort to challenge those who disagree with reconciliation and the rights of Indigenous people.”
12. “Reconciliation is urgent. Practice hope, build up the team, show up for indigenous neighbors, friends, and networks. Practice infinite hope and do the work in your sphere of influence.”

Conclusion

If you are ready to learn, grow, and take courageous action to help move truth and reconciliation forward, please consider purchasing a copy of Ally is Verb. Canada’s next generation will benefit.

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