Continue in the journey of reconciliation
By Mike Hogeterp

In the last year or so, these pages of Mobile Justice have carried some moving explorations of hope and reconciliation by indigenous peoples. The words of Harold, Ed, Michelle, and Ray, and especially the story of the Mississaugas of New Credit, often stir my spirit in CCG's journey (complete with false-starts and missteps) to work with Aboriginal People for Justice.

I need to tell you about a conviction that is growing in me, as I walk alongside many gracious and wise servants of God, particularly Aboriginal church leaders and theologians, all of them committed to justice and reconciliation. I am convinced that the wholeness of Canada, and of the church here, is linked to reconciliation with Aboriginal People.

Well—that's a pretty big, grandiose thesis. Pursing it, as with most parts of the call to justice, means taking small steps. So I started with one idea that should be simple enough . . .

A few weeks back I paid a visit to the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) offices in Ottawa. I was hoping that they would give us some ideas to support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process with policy advocacy. Instead, the conversation turned toward a clear recognition: that many Canadians don't understand the need for reconciliation with Aboriginal people, or the need for the apology to survivors of Indian Residential Schools (June 11, 2008). If reconciliation and the Apology are to be more than words, they need to be embraced and understood—and this means that education is needed.

In the course of our chat, Wayne Courchene of the AFN said: "Why not ring church bells and make some noise to remember the apology?"

This is a good question and a call to action for those who recognize the need for reconciliation: why not do something to commemorate this historic apology?

Soon after the Prime Minister's Apology, Ray Aldred of EFC's Aboriginal Ministries Council recounted some discussions around that table:

We believe that good will come out of the apology issued by the Canadian people if we continue in the theme of the apology of repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation and healing. (See www.crcna.org/pages/ccg_mj_0810_aboriginal.cfm)

Commemorating the apology with church bells, drums, prayer and liturgy is one way to continue the theme of apology for the journey of reconciliation. Commemoration is also a significant message to churches (both those with or without residential school heritage) and Canadian society: that the words of the Prime Minister and the Opposition leaders are our apology, and recognition that we as a nation have done wrong to our Aboriginal sisters and brothers, and are profoundly poorer for it. Remembering this is critical for the journey of healing and reconciliation.

We now recognize that it was wrong to separate children from rich and vibrant cultures and traditions, that it created a void in many lives and communities, and we apologize for having done this.
The burden of this experience has been on your shoulders for far too long. The burden is properly ours as a government, and as a country.
We are sorry.
Nimitataynan. Niminchinowesamin. Mamiattugut.

—The Rt. Hon. Steven Harper, June 11 2008

For all of these reasons, we at CCG have started contacting friends and partners to see how joyful noises and solemn moments of remembrance can be made on and around June 11, 2009. Canadian churches have an opportunity to communicate with (tens of, hundreds of) thousands of people every week. Publically remembering the words that the leaders of Canada spoke on our behalf on June 11, 2008 is one way to act on what we say—it is one step of many to continue in the journey of reconciliation.

Stay tuned.

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