Truth and Reconciliation

Truth & Reconciliation

                    … and a time for justice and peace.

September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. It is an important day for all to acknowledge and honour the generational and inter-generational survivors of residential schools and those who did not make it home. We remember to ensure we do not repeat this atrocity. This day provides a collective commitment for all to learn through truth telling and to reflect on the history of First Nations people and provides for a collective commitment to learn, understand, and be involved in advancing reconciliation. We do this by participating in local commemoration or education events, having important conversations with our families, friends and communities, and finding meaningful ways to learn more about shared history.

The Anglican Church of Canada – Excerpts from our leaders:

“I accept and I confess before God and you, our failures in the residential schools. We failed you. We failed ourselves. We failed God.” “I am sorry, more than I can say, that we were part of a system which took you and your children from home and family. I am sorry, more than I can say, that we tried to remake you in our image, taking from you your language and the signs of your identity. am sorry, more than I can say, that in our schools, so many were abused physically, sexually, culturally and emotionally. On behalf of the Anglican Church of Canada, I present our apology.” Archbishop Michael Peers 1993.

Today, I offer this apology for our cultural and spiritual arrogance toward all Indigenous Peoples – First Nations, Inuit and Métis – and the harm we inflicted on you. I do this at the desire of many across the Church, at the call of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, and at the request and with the authority of the Council of the General Synod. Archbishop Fred Hiltz 2019.

“I am sorry. I am more sorry than I can say. I am ashamed. I am horrified. I ask myself, where does that come from — that evil. It has nothing, nothing to do with Christ.”  Archbishop Justin Welby in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan 2022.

More info here: https://www.anglican.ca/healing/

At St. Thomas - We are learning and growing together.

EXPLORING THE PATH OF RECONCILIATION

Sunday, November 26, 2023 

11:45 am – 2:00 pm (Following the 10 am Sunday Service at St. Thomas)

With Kerry Baisley, Missioner for Indigenous Justice for the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster since 2020.

The idea that the land is something to be controlled, and to which one claims ownership, is a Western/European/American perspective. First Nation’s people didn’t think they owned it; land is to be shared. The Indigenous injustice in Canada all started with ‘The Doctrine of Discovery’, a document granting settlers permission to take land. Together we will have lunch, watch a video on the Doctrine of Discovery, and share in discussion. This is an invitation to explore our perspectives, ask ourselves important questions, and discover a definition of reconciliation and a path to establish mutually respectful relationships.

Kerry previously worked for over 35 years in public service in positions that have included Emergency Child Welfare, Regional Social Worker in the Yukon, and Medical Social Work in Residential Care.  He was Manager for Health Care Decisions with the Public Guardian and Trustee of BC and retired as Director of Client Relations and Risk Management in Richmond Hospital with Vancouver Coastal Health. Kerry is a past Board Member of the 127 Society for Housing and a member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia.

All are welcome and encouraged to learn, listen, and lunch together. Lunch and drinks are included.

Please register or Drop-in. This is a no-fee event – donations are gratefully accepted for a ministry of Indigenous Justice.

For more info, contact lorie@loriemartin.com