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.

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