Living into Right Relations: February 2022

Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice News from The United Church of Canada Justice and Reconciliation Outdoors and Online   Justice and Reconciliation Fund applicants have been challenged by ongoing pandemic restrictions in carrying out project over the past two years. Fortunately, some outdoor activities were able to proceed and others took place online. The Justice and Reconciliation Fund contributed to development of the Gitche Namewikwedong Reconciliation Garden at Kelso Beach Park in Owen Sound. The garden includes a circular limestone terrace and seat wall, a sacred fire pit, a drystone stream bed, and a bridge spanning the stream. Trees and shrubs of cultural significance to the Anishinaabe will be planted throughout the site. In October 2021, a special focal point for the garden was installed: a large metal sturgeon “swimming” in the dry stream bed. Known as Nookomis Gitche Name’ Kwe (Grandmother Sturgeon), its “sacred and iconic presence at the garden will serve as the physical, spiritual, and cultural link to the traditional lands, and waters of the Anishinaabeg.” It was designed by Anishinaabe-kwe artist Kathryn Corbiere, a metal sculptor from M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island.   Nookomis Gitche Name’ Kwe (Grandmother Sturgeon) [Photo credit: Kathryn Corbiere]   The We Are All Treaty people (WAATP) event took place last September as a hybrid, with an in-person experience at the Kapapbamayak Achaak Healing Forest in St. John’s Park in Winnipeg, and a webinar later that afternoon. As 2021 marked the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 1 and Treaty 2, the planning committee felt it critical to have a component on the land. The Elders’ Council of the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba agreed to plan a Welcoming Ceremony at the healing forest. Fifty people attended this invitation-only event. Diane Dwarka, co-chair of the Prairie to Pine Regional Council represented The United Church of Canada. Each participant received a clay smudge bowl thrown by Quaker potter Keith Barber. Settler participants were asked to undertake 150 actions towards being good treaty partners within the following year. Upon completion of these actions, they will receive a companion mug to their smudge bowl. The afternoon webinar broadened engagement in the celebration and a YouTube video was made to provide a lasting educational tool. If you are inspired to take on a Justice and Reconciliation project, the next deadline for applications to the Justice and Reconciliation Fund is March 15, 2022. For more information, contact Lori Ransom.  Statements on Symbols of Hate in Protest   A counter-protest in Ottawa on February 12, 2022. [Photo credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle] The United Church’s Anti-Racism Common Table has issued a statement on the use of hate symbols, appropriation of Indigenous ceremony and symbols, and other acts of racial violence in the recent protests which took place across Canada. Chinook Winds Indiegnous Minister Tony Snow, who is a member of the Common Table, also shared his thoughts in a statement, noting that The United Church’s commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action is part of its commitment to anti-racism. Join the Church’s Anti-Racism Common Table If you are interested in addressing anti-Indigenous racism and broader work on systemic racism, you may be interested in becoming part of The United Church's Anti-Racism Common Table, one of the church's national committees.   "We are seeking people who have experience with anti-racism work, intercultural engagement, or Indigenous justice, whether through volunteering, employment, education, and/or lived experience." Full details are available here. Application deadline is March 21. Educational Opportunities: The Village Cultural safety practitioner and workshop facilitator Kathi Camilleri created and facilitates the Building Bridges through Understanding the Village workshop to increase cultural competency for organizations across Canada. During this experiential workshop participants explore the values that have upheld Indigenous communities as well as the effects of Canada’s policy of assimilation.  It’s geared to solutions rather than recrimination. Participants in these often emotion-provoking workshop experiences comment that while they understood a bit about the issue on a cognitive level, after participation in Building Bridges Through Understanding the Village they understand on a deep emotional level as well. An online version is available. For more information, check Kathi’s website. [Image credit: villageworkshopseries.com] Facebook Twitter Website Email Instagram YouTube Donate to The United Church of Canada and help fund life changing work around the world!

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