Feathers remind parishes of commitments to reconciliation

In collaboration with the diocesan All My Relations Circle, Crosstalk is publishing a series of photos to highlight how parishes in the diocese have chosen to place, display or use the ceramic feathers each received at the 2019 Synod. 

The feather, which carries special significance in most First Nations’ traditions, represents a commitment to building relationships in a new way with all Indigenous peoples through a journey based on truth, justice, and reconciliation.

The feathers were originally crafted in 2017 for an outdoor public art installation at the Canadian Museum of Nature named “Populace” marking Canada’s 150th anniversary. The symbol was chosen with the local Algonquin community as a representation of their presence on this land at the time of confederation. The feather has special significance in most Indigenous traditions. In the installation a rose represented the English people and a fleur de lys represented the French people.

Kirstin Davidson of the Parish of March, one of the artists behind the 2017 installation, generously made the feathers available through the All My Relations Circle. “Placing a feather with each congregation could be a part of the journey that includes an inward promise and an outward, demonstrable commitment to embracing the uncomfortable truth of our history with Indigenous peoples and to taking a personal step towards change,” she said. 

AMR is inviting all parishes to share how they have displayed their feathers along with any written text that accompanies it. Photos of the installed feathers and their explanation will be included in an upcoming Crosstalk. Please send your submission to AMR at [email protected]

Christ Church Cathedral

The feather is mounted on a photograph of the land acknowledgement that is found mounted on a rock outside of Ottawa City Hall. At our Cathedral, it hangs on the wall in the foyer at the entrance, serving as a powerful reminder of the land upon which we stand and the importance of relationship, reconciliation and healing, in all we do. — Dean Beth Bretzlaff

Trinity (Bank St.)

Trinity Anglican Church in Ottawa keeps the feather displayed in a prominent location over our high altar as a symbol of reconciliation.

— Archdeacon Mark Whittall

Church of the Epiphany, Ottawa

I designed this plaque to represent the feather (a gesture of reconciliation) resting on a pebble beach on the North shore of Lake Ontario. I gathered the pebbles from a favourite beach in Southeastern Prince Edward County. The small, white spiral shell is a symbol of eternity and a sign of hope that now and into the future we can live in harmony as humble guests on the unceded land of the Algonquin people. — Steven Heiter

St. Mary’s, Russell

When the reconciliation feather was given to St. Mary’s Russell we wanted not to just display the feather. We wanted be able to display it in different settings. It can hang on a wall, stand on a table or flat surface and the feather can be easily be removed for teaching.  It is made with a variety of wood types representing inclusion and  diversity. The majority of the wood is pine native to this area.  We added the dove of peace which also symbolizes reconciliation. Can you find the canoe? — Sheldon Box