Journey to Reconciliation – Week 3 – Next steps

Wonderings:

How does healing begin?

How do we forgive?  How does the aboriginal community forgive?  The ultimate goal is forgiveness

How to we break the barriers so that preconceived notions are removed?

Next steps:

Address education and stereotyping on both sides

Continue conversations and understanding

Learn more about the United Church of Canada apology to First Nations Peoples:  http://www.united-church.ca/social-action/justice-initiatives/apologies

Get to know Indigenous people

Talk as equals – bring the two communities together and learn to respect each other

No finger pointing – blame

More reading and seeking to understand the steps of healing

Field trips – for example – to Peguis Gardens

Discuss water availability on reserves

Visit the Human Rights Museum

Extend a wider invitation to different groups for dialogue

We need to continue to collaborate with St. Mary’s Rd., Oakbank, John Black, Charleswood, Clandeboye, St. Bartholomew’s Anglican, and Selkirk churches

Establish TRC advertising on each church website – contact study groups and add information into bulletins and Sunday services

Knowledge is truth.

Getting to know people one-on-one is helpful to realize that we are all the same.

Share with others who are less informed – stand up to racism.

We need accurate information regarding the issues faced by Indigenous peoples.

Aboriginal teachings/people are very generous – we need to be, too.

Indigenous culture centers around community – we could learn from that.

Stand with the Aboriginal people re:  societal, environmental issues.

Attend events at Thunderbird House, U of M, Pow wows

Share Indigenous news in newsletters across churches

Tie into existing groups – eg Soup & Pie

Have elders in to share knowledge and traditions

Change attitudes by challenging beliefs

Become more familiar with the TRC summary and Calls to Action:

Truth and Reconciliation committee Calls to Action:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/truth-and-reconciliation-94-calls-to-action-1.3362258

Become familiar with the United Nations Rights of Indigenous Peoples – get copies for churches – download the document here: https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&ved=0ahUKEwiV6ZOaxu_SAhUGy2MKHUgwDAYQFghFMAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.un.org%2Fesa%2Fsocdev%2Funpfii%2Fdocuments%2FDRIPS_en.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFsAoTgiIMEVUHfEXbBn_03AJhJTg&cad=rja

Continued Learning and Understanding:

St. Mary’s Road United Church event – March 24 and 25 – play and workshop

Charleswood United Church – currently involved in Circles for Reconciliation

Bear Clan Presentation – April 11, 2017 at 7 p.m.  at Windsor Park United Church

Blanket Ceremony – April 29, 2017 at Oakbank United Church

June 25, 2017 – Treaty One event at Lower Fort Garry

June – WPUC – Aboriginal Prayer Day – 7 Sacred Teachings will be shared with the children

Link to Week 1 – The Seven Sacred Teachings – http://www.windsorparkunitedchurch.com/general-news/journey-to-reconciliation-week-1-the-seven-sacred-teachings/

Link to Week 2 – Treaty as Covenant – http://www.windsorparkunitedchurch.com/general-news/journey-to-reconciliation-week-2-treaty-as-covenant/

Meegwetch!  Thank you for joining us!

We look forward to continuing the Journey to Reconciliation!