Co-sponsored by Kateri Native Ministry and St. Joseph’s Parish, this event gave the more than 200 attendees the opportunity to learn about “respectful dialogue and relationship-building.” Donna Naughton, executive director of the Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa introduced Sinclair, who began by referencing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #61, one of four calls addressed to churches.

Acknowledging that “there will never be an end to some actions,” he pointed to increased awareness of what reconciliation means, referencing the 50 percent of Canadians who now own Orange Shirts.

He then challenged the audience with the question “What can YOU do?”  Referring to justice as “the most important part” of the TRC’s work, he identified the five Calls to Action that specifically address the roles of churches: (1) Define ‘Truth and Reconciliation’; (2) Offer the gift of space; (3) Challenge indifference; (4) Act with integrity; and (5) Become allies in the Spirit.

Define Truth and Reconciliation 

Affirming that Truth comes before Reconciliation, Sinclair referred to the deaths of children at residential schools as undeniable. Nowadays, he stated, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people are talking about love, even though new stories are emerging. Finding the children is worth the search, he asserted, and the search has begun.

Offer the gift of space

Acknowledging that sharing space is complex, Sinclair referenced the visit of Canadian Indigenous leaders to the Vatican. Interestingly, Pope Francis met the visitors in the picture gallery, where some paintings depict the Doctrine of Discovery. Calling this a first for the Vatican, he noted that the guests, clad in traditional regalia, presented the Pope with two pairs of children’s moccasins. A visitor asked, “Can you carry them?” Responding that he would try, he later declared in Alberta “I have the moccasins.”

Sinclair then challenged the audience with a question: “The cross in a church is beautiful: how do Indigenous People feel about it?”

Challenge indifference 

Sinclair observed that while the 2022 Papal Apology targeted indifference, the Pope affirmed that indifference leads to violence and harm. This, he explained, was the result of not speaking up. He challenged the audience to remember Stephen, stoned by those who were indifferent. (Acts 7:54-60). Jesus, he pointed out, continuously espoused love, saying that all are welcome and all deserve to eat. Describing the indifference of some students who mocked their Indigenous classmates, he affirmed that “This cannot be the order of the day.” In closing, Sinclair challenged the audience with this question: How does our church respond to indifference?

Act with integrity

Sinclair applauded Governor General Mary Simon for speaking truth to power when she addressed the Pope. Referring to water as “the great teacher of connection,” Sinclair said that for Jesus “All things are bent towards the flow of creation… (and) we need to go to places where we are all connected.” He added, “God is in the land. There is no need to take children away from it.”

Become allies in the Spirit 

Observing that the Pope said little when he visited the Canadian North, Sinclair pointed out that the Pontiff chose to focus instead on listening to the people. Once back on the plane for his trip home, he responded to a journalist’s direct question with, “Yes, I use the word genocide.” One month later, reported Sinclair, the Canadian government issued a statement acknowledging the Vatican’s decision to rescind the Doctrine of Discovery, describing it as “racist, colonial concept.”  He noted that despite the closure of many churches, (some) people continue as communities of faith and allies. “What will happen if we don’t care enough about ‘being Church?” he challenged.  “If we do enough, we might change the world…but that is only if we commit to love and pain and suffering and stop indifference.”

Concluding his presentation on a lighter note, Sinclair asked the audience: “What would Jesus say about Orange Shirts? The answer: Jesus would ask: “Do you have my size?”

— Janet Allingham and Karen Luyendyk are members of the diocesan All My Relations Episcopal Panel

A time for reconcili-action

May 5 is Red Dress Day, a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People.

Red Dress Day is followed by National Indigenous History Month in June, a time for Indigenous Peoples, non-Indigenous, and new Canadians to reflect upon and learn about the history, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and strengths of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

For many Canadians, the history of Indigenous peoples and Canada was, until recently, unknown. Generations of Canadians have lived their lives without knowing about residential schools, the historic and ongoing impacts of the Indian Act, the significance of treaties, or the contributions of Indigenous peoples to the mosaic that is Canada. With gratitude for the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, non-Indigenous Canadians, governments and churches have been given a guide to what we can do to learn and to promote healing more broadly: the Calls to Action! https://nctr.ca/about/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-of-canada-calls-to-action/

Parishes are invited to explore ways of honouring and celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day and the National Indigenous Day of Prayer; in 2026 these two days coincide, on Sunday June 21!!

It is our hope and prayer that acknowledgement, reflection, celebration, discomfort, and remorse lead to actions towards reconciliation, relationship, and right relations.

Not sure what to do?  Here are some resources to get you started:

Video resources that you can include in your service on Sunday June 21 were created in 2021 with the diocesan All My Relations Panel (AMR)

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbS6tqPW5bAf1HXOI0aHo5ycFEQVNYHN

Anglican Church of Canada resources:

Indigenous Ministries https://www.anglican.ca/im/

Bible Readings: consider using the First Nations New Testament https://firstnationsversion.com/book/first-nations-version/

Prayers of the People

Litany from the National Church video can be used with attribution. This has an Indigenous voice and a non-Indigenous voice https://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/LITANY-We-are-still-here.pdf

Remembering the Children prayer https://www.rememberingthechildren.ca/tour/documents/prayer.pdf

After June 21 and Indigenous History Month have passed, stay involved in the journey by watching the diocesan AMR website for events and opportunities. https://ottawa.anglican.ca/indigenous-justice

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and the Legacy of Hope Foundation of Canada provide resources of all kinds, check them out to start or continue on your journey of healing and reconciliation!

Email allmyrelations@ottawa.anglican.ca with questions and ideas about next steps or to share your events with other parishes in the Diocese.

A time for reconcili-action

May 5 is Red Dress Day, a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People.

Red Dress Day is followed by National Indigenous History Month in June, a time for Indigenous Peoples, non-Indigenous, and new Canadians to reflect upon and learn about the history, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and strengths of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

For many Canadians, the history of Indigenous peoples and Canada was, until recently, unknown. Generations of Canadians have lived their lives without knowing about residential schools, the historic and ongoing impacts of the Indian Act, the significance of treaties, or the contributions of Indigenous peoples to the mosaic that is Canada. With gratitude for the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, non-Indigenous Canadians, governments and churches have been given a guide to what we can do to learn and to promote healing more broadly: the Calls to Action! https://nctr.ca/about/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-of-canada-calls-to-action/

Parishes are invited to explore ways of honouring and celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day and the National Indigenous Day of Prayer; in 2026 these two days coincide, on Sunday June 21!!

It is our hope and prayer that acknowledgement, reflection, celebration, discomfort, and remorse lead to actions towards reconciliation, relationship, and right relations.

Not sure what to do?  Here are some resources to get you started:

Video resources that you can include in your service on Sunday June 21 were created in 2021 with the diocesan All My Relations Panel (AMR)

Anglican Church of Canada resources:

Indigenous Ministries

Bible Readings: consider using the First Nations New Testament

Prayers of the People

Litany from the National Church video can be used with attribution. This has an Indigenous voice and a non-Indigenous voice 

Remembering the Children prayer

After June 21 and Indigenous History Month have passed, stay involved in the journey by watching the diocesan AMR website for events and opportunities. https://ottawa.anglican.ca/indigenous-justice

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and the Legacy of Hope Foundation of Canada provide resources of all kinds, check them out to start or continue on your journey of healing and reconciliation!

Email allmyrelations@ottawa.anglican.ca with questions and ideas about next steps or to share your events with other parishes in the Diocese.

The post Ten years later, Niigaan Sinclair challenges churches and Christians to answer the TRC Calls to Action appeared first on Perspective.

Branches of Hope is an “offshoot” of the Communion Forest, a global initiative to plant trees, as well as conserve, protect and restore ecosystems throughout the Anglican Communion, launched at the 2022 Lambeth Conference.

This work began in our diocese when the PWRDF Working Group accepted the challenge of its chair, the Ven. Patrick Stephens, to work toward Lambeth’s goal to “renew the life of the earth across the Anglican Communion and beyond.”

A generous donation from Christ Church Cathedral enabled the working group to purchase locally grown tree seedlings—red maple and black spruce—that they will distribute to individuals, families, parishes and community groups. Planting trees here in the diocese of Ottawa will improve the health of communities for years to come.

Branches of Hope also has an international goal in Uganda, where industrialization, wars and wetland destruction have contributed to flooding and soil degradation. Recipients of young trees here in the diocese are encouraged to donate $10 per seedling to support this important work.

PWRDF partner Josephine Kizza visited our diocesan Synod in 2023 and explained that she and her family have operated St. Jude Family Projects in Masaka since the 1980s. Today, recognized internationally, the farm attracts students from around the world who are learning the principles of soil conservation and restoration. Tree-planting is also part of the curriculum.

You don’t need to own land to receive a tree: trees make excellent gifts. A tree might mark an occasion like a birthday, the arrival of a grandchild, an anniversary or honour the life of a loved one. Some municipalities might also accept seedlings to plant in parks or other green spaces.

PWRDF has been responding to emergency situations and supporting development projects in Canada and around the world for more than 60 years.

To order a tree or trees please contact the Ven. Patrick Stephens (thereverendpatrickstephens@gmail.com) to indicate your preference for either maple or spruce seedling(s) and arrange for delivery.

Donations can be made directly to PWRDF

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The post Greening the diocese and supporting a PWRDF partner in Uganda appeared first on Perspective.

In the diocese of Ottawa, a donation to Branches of Hope results in a tree planted here and another in Uganda where PWRDF partner, Josephine Kizza, demonstrates and teaches agroecology—good and healthy farming practices. Branches of Hope offers an opportunity for all of us to engage in environmental “repair” through purchasing and planting trees in and around parishes of the diocese. These “forests” will differ from place to place: some trees may appear on private or church properties; others in forested areas; some in grasslands; and others in wetlands. The possibilities are endless.

Think creatively. Do you live in an apartment or condo? Why not give a seedling as a gift to a grandchild or to a couple as a wedding gift? Seedlings might also commemorate a graduation, anniversary or other special occasion.

And what of the seedlings that appeared at Synod? All four (including the one Terry Dillabough is holding in the picture) went home to parishes of the diocese. In the meantime, we are in the process of contacting all parishes so that orders may be placed and seedlings distributed in time for spring plantings.

For further information about Branches of Hope or to place an order: please contact the Ven. Patrick Stephens by email: thereverendpatrickstephens@gmail.com or by phone at 613-870-1440.

The post PWRDF launches “Branches of Hope” at Synod ’23 appeared first on Perspective.

Orange Shirt Day reminds Canadians of the persistent impact of the residential schools—including the loss and colonization of Traditional Knowledge. The visual and performing arts, however, continue to support the continuity of both Traditional Knowledge and culture. One local example is the Thunderbird Sisters Collective. Patsea Griffin, its founder, says “Beadwork is a way for me to stay connected to all my relations in the spirit world. I love being in the beading circle and sharing stories with friends.” She explains that the group “fosters creative spirit through Indigenous art and teaching” providing a “safe space for Indigenous youth and allies to come together to share their creativity.”

Last October, the All My Relations Circle organized an online beading class where Patsea shared her skill with a group of novice beaders. While some compare beading to embroidery work, beading is more repetitive—thus leading quite naturally to meditation and prayer. Larry Langlois, one the AMR members, has thoughtfully compared the repetitive action of beading to reciting the Rosary–—and I have found this to be true. Having mastered the basic skill of attaching tiny beads to the stiffened felt base, I no longer focused on technique. Instead, with each thrust of the needle, I remembered children like Phyllis Webstad and thousands of others impacted by the residential school system: those who came home; those who did not; and family members down through the generations who continue to suffer through vicarious trauma.

Consider taking a beading course. You’ll find Patsea’s contact information among the resources below. If you start beading soon,  you’ll be able to wear your own creation on Sept. 30, National Truth and Reconciliation Day—Orange Shirt Day 2023.

— Submitted on behalf of the All My Relations circle

RESOURCES

Anglican Church of Canada Reconciliation Toolkit

History, resources, worship and more.

Reconciliation toolkit

Beechwood Cemetery

On Sept. 30, the Beechwood National Memorial Centre Sacred Space will screen new films. Visitors can also participate in a 45-minute reconciliation tour, learning about key historical figures involved in Indian Residential Schools and about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. At 2 pm, the Children’s Sacred Forest will be unveiled. Those interested must register online before the event. https://www.beechwoodottawa.ca/en/foundation/events

Beaded Dreams

This store sells materials for beading projects. Address: 426 Bank Street, Ottawa. ON. K2P1Y8.  (613) 235-8378 or toll free: (1) 844-796-8378. Email: info@beadeddreams.com.

Beading with Patsea

To inquire about beading courses, you may reach Patsea Griffin at this address: beadingwithpatsea@gmail.com.

Government of Canada

Understanding the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1631130192216.

Orange Shirt Society

Contact the society for educational resources and events at this address: info@orangeshirtday.org.

Presbyterian Church of Canada

Resources for Orange Shirt Day

https://presbterian.ca/2020/09/29/orange-shirt-day-reflection

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