I received the following from a justice network I subscribe to, and it seems appropriate to me that Churches take notice.
I don’t think we pay enough attention to issues of Truth and Reconciliation with indigenous peoples of this land. Now that the crisis of Church survival is behind us, and before another wake-up call comes, we might find the right thing to do is to build relationships that will weather the next storm. The opportunity to build relationships on truth and reconciliation still exists.
We wish Sheila Vaudry well this Sunday as she takes part in leading an Aboriginal service of worship at St Michael and All Angels, where Elders and drummers will be present.
From Truth to Reconciliation
June is National Aboriginal History Month and it is an opportunity to celebrate and honour the heritage, cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Canada.
On Saturday June 8th the Social Concerns Committee of Carleton Place, in partnership with The Lanark County Neighbours for Truth and Reconciliation, will be hosting our second “From Truth to Reconciliation Event”.
The event will be held at Carambeck Community Centre (351 Bridge Street, Carleton Place) and registration will begin a 9:30 am. There is no cost for the day however participants will share in a potluck feast.
Our vision for the event is for an inclusive gathering that will bring together young and old, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, church and secular in a shared journey of listening, learning, and reconciliation.
The focus of the event is the history of the Algonquin Nation and its territory. It is a history that our community needs to know as Lanark County exists on Algonquin Lands. Land settlement negotiations continue at this time between Algonquin leaders and the Government of Canada. There is value for all citizens in knowing and understanding the Algonquin history so that we are informed and can appreciate the complexities, promote justice and support reconciliation during this process. Through education, such things as stereotypes, misinformation and misunderstandings, as well as fears, can be discarded and replaced with a new relationship grounded in mutual respect, friendship and understanding.
The event is co-sponsored by The Town of Carleton Place and KAIROS: Ecumenical Justice Initiatives.
Please register at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/762DDYX
For more information about the event please contact: Tracey Paetzold at [email protected]