Living into Right Relations: May 2022

Moderator: Truth Will Not Be Forgotten

[Photo credit: Sara Stratton/United Church of Canada]

On May 23, Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation marked the end of a year of mourning for the 215 children located in unmarked graves on the grounds of the former Kamloops residential institution. As we know, there will be more anniversaries coming to remember many other First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children.

Moderator Richard Bott reflects on the past year, its impacts on Indigenous communities, and the possibilities for healing, reconciliation, and reparation. As Indigenous peoples continue to name the truth of what happened to them in residential institutions, how can non-Indigenous people respond in a supportive, rather than intrusive, manner? Read his reflection here.

A Message from Indigenous Ministries and Justice

As we come to June, we are in Indigenous History Month, with celebrations of National Indigenous Peoples Day and ceremony to mark the Summer Solstice. It is a time to celebrate the many Indigenous Peoples and Nations of this land.

We also remember the time beginning May 2021 that brought “Truth” to the forefront in the path of reconciliation. Let us remember the children and loved ones lost to Residential Institutions. The children of the unmarked graves across Canada, the children who went through that system, the ongoing impact on all our generations to date. Let us remember our loss as a people of many Nations and beliefs.

But let us also sing songs of honor for our lost loved ones, our lost identities and languages that we are so desperately trying to hold onto. With our songs and prayers and dances, our spirits will rise once again.

For we can carry on in our many ways as many Nations on this land gifted from our Creator. We can share in a good way our stories of our rich heritage, culture, survival and way of life. And with our vision, our stories, our past and present, the good and the bad, we can be proud to be human, to be loving people, in our own ways.

We can then welcome others to live together once again, with hope for generations to come, as people of the land. We are real, we are proud, we are who Creator made us to be.

Respect.

The Rev. Murray Pruden
Executive Minister, Indigenous Ministries and Justice

National Indigenous Day of Prayer Materials

Two new worship resources for Indigenous Day of Prayer (2022) are available on our website. We are grateful to Rev. Nancy Best for her service titled All My Relations and Rev. Dr. Lisa Waites for contributing a new hymn for use with this service. We send profound thanks as well to Rev. Jan Jorgensen for her worship service, All God's Beloved Children.

Walking the Path of Peace Together in Eastern Ontario

[Photo credit: Patricia Roebuck]

Members of Faith United Church, Kingston, reflect in a new blog post about how they are building relationships with the local Indigenous community, and together they are stewarding the land which is being returned to Indigenous people. The Justice and Reconciliation Fund committee is pleased to be among those supporting this initiative.