“Proud of Who I am….”

The purpose of the Healing and Reconciliation Fund, established in 2016, is to encourage and support projects in our diocese that educate about the legacy of the residential school system; contribute to the healing process; and foster reconciliation among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Although the pandemic put some 2021 plans on hold, grants from the Fund helped project holders—Cornerstone Housing for Women, the Mississippi Mills All My Relations and the Parish of West Quebec—move forward. [See the accompanying article about the Parish of West Quebec’s experience with the KAIROS Blanket Exercise.]

Cornerstone Housing for Women – Minwaashin Lodge Partnership

Minwaashin Lodge is an Indigenous Women’s Support Centre that provides a range of programs and services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and children (regardless of status) who are survivors of domestic and other forms of violence, and who may also be suffering the effects of the residential school system. 

With currently 40 percent of Cornerstone’s Princeton Avenue’s residents identifying as Indigenous, Cornerstone has developed a partnership with Minwaashin Lodge based on open and transparent dialogue. Through that partnership, programs are offered to the Indigenous women who live at the Princeton Ave. residence and, along with assistance to the staff and residents, ensure that the residence is a place of welcome and vibrant community for all women. A grant, to flow over three years, from the Healing and Reconciliation Fund allows Cornerstone to contract the services of Minwaashin Lodge to provide professional services to assist in meeting the organizations’ mutual goals. These goals include promoting, among all staff, understanding of the unique interests, gifts, traditions and challenges faced by Indigenous women and residents and building a vibrant, diverse community where all women experience respect, safety and the conditions to thrive. 

Elizabeth, an Indigenous resident at Princeton, said “I feel safe at Princeton because my community understands the history of Indigenous people and there is a real sensitivity amongst the ladies and workers. I feel I can share who I really am which supports me in my healing journey. I am still learning about myself and am so proud of who I am and how far I’ve come.”

Mississippi Mills All My Relations (MMAMR)

The parish of St Paul’s Almonte is a partner in Mississippi Mills All My Relations which is ‘a concerned group of community members living in the area who recognize that we have a responsibility to help restore what was once a relationship of trust and friendship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in our country.’ www.mmallmyrelations.ca 

With the help of the Fund to cover interpretation costs, MMAMR was able to include and draw on the gifts of Sarina, a Deaf Indigenous member of their group. MMAMR has also been able to engage the wider Deaf community and explore more sustainable funding for interpretation.

In June, MMAMR’s online educational event titled “Treaties Are Alive” had American Sign Language interpretation and, of the almost 100 participants attending, five were Deaf. MMAMR has also connected with Indigenous representatives at Deaf Youth Canada and Canadian Association of the Deaf which has enabled LSQ (French Sign Language) interpretation as well. When the representative from Deaf Youth Canada joined MMAMR’s planning circle, offering helpful suggestions about resources for events, Sarina said, “I’m really happy we have an interpreter. Before I always felt like I was just hanging around in the background.”  

Guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, since 2016 the Fund has provided more than 25 grants to parishes and community ministries to hold KAIROS Blanket Exercises, to reach out to their Indigenous neighbours, to form relationships and partnerships, to hold educational events, among other activities. The Healing and Reconciliation Fund exists to facilitate learning and foster understanding. Its ‘proposal window’ is wide open. There are no deadlines. See www.ottawa.anglican.ca/amr for Fund details and contact AMR if you have questions.