Truth and Reconciliation
This year, in light of the unmarked graves of 1323 Indigenous children found thus far at residential schools, many Canadians are pausing to consider what it means to celebrate "Canada Day".
How can we celebrate a nation which is founded upon the conquering and decimation of the Indigenous People who inhabited the "newly found land"?
In June of 2008 Canada began work on the Truth and Reconciliation Act, as a component of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Its mandate is to inform all Canadians about what happened in Indian Residential Schools (IRS). The Commission documents the truth of survivors, families, communities and anyone personally affected by the IRS experience.
The final report was released in December of 2015. There are 94 Calls to Action which are presented in the following categories:
What Are the Calls to Action?
Child welfare.
Education.
Language and culture.
Health.
Justice.
As responsible Canadians, and empathetic Christians, perhaps this year we should make it a Canada Day goal, to read through the Truth and Reconciliation Act, if we have not done so yet......
Seeking Harmony
Apologies as a Start
by Stan McKay | June 24, 2021
The Very Reverend Stan McKay is the first Indigenous moderator of the United Church of Canada. In this article he sheds light on the effect of the apology given by the UCC in 1986 for its role in colonialism, and how it falls short of bringing about real change within our congregations.
The Truth and Reconciliation Act
by Canada.ca | modified June 11, 2021
Perhaps the tragic findings of unmarked children's graves will be the push needed to get Canada, as a nation, to bring about the real, necessary and long overdue justice the Indigenous People so rightly deserve.
Living Our Faith Day-to-Day
The Key to Living an Extraordinary Life
Brené Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.Short 1-2 sentence description here.
“The ability to feel connected is why we are here.”