Anglicans take steps to mark National Indigenous History Month

Anglicans in the diocese marked this year’s National Indigenous History Month, learning more about Indigenous cultures and experiences.

A group from St John the Evangelist in Ottawa and All My Relations attended the Pow Wow at Kitigan Zibi on June 4.  

The Rev. Canon Gary van der Meer, Incumbent of St. John’s, wrote about the experience on the parish website: The long drive was totally worth it: A rich feast of music, solemn and sacred moments, lighthearted humour, beautiful dances – and photographs when appropriate/encouraged. It was also a rich feast of actual food with long lines for the buffalo burger (delicious) and shorter lines for the fun fusion drink—blueberry bubble tea (also delicious). Go tomorrow if you can—what a beautiful day!

St. John’s parishioners Kimberly Johnson-Breen, Rebecca Gregg, Jill Moll enjoying the Pow Wow..

(L to R) Marni Crossley, Bob Green, Jane Maxwell and the Rev. Canon Gary van Der Meer at the Kitigan Zibi Pow Wow. Photo: Contributed

On the evening of June 22, the All My Relations circle, Cathedral Labyrinth Guild, and All Saints Westboro partnered to host a musical labyrinth experience.

Barbara Brown read the poem “Remember” by Joy Harjo, Muscogee Creek Nation, serving her second term as poet laureate of the United States.

Remember

By Joy Harjo

Remember the sky you were born under,  know each of the star’s stories.

Remember the moon, know who she is.

Remember the sun’s birth at dawn, that is the strongest point of time.

Remember sundown and the giving away to night.

Remember your birth, how your mother struggled to give you form and breath.

You are evidence of her life, and her mother’s and hers.

Remember you father. He is your life, also.

Member the earth whose skin you are: red earth, black earth, yellow earth, white earth, brown earth, we are earth.

Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their tribes, their families, their histories, too.

Talk to them, listen to them.

They are alive poems.

Remember the wind. Remember her voice.

She knows the origin of the universe.

Remember you are all people and all people are you.

Remember you are this universe and this universe is you.

Remember all is in motion, is growing, is you.

Remember language come from this.

Remember the dance language is, that life is.

Remember.