It was a “historic and sacred moment in the history of Canada,” said Rev. Dr. J. H. (Hans) Kouwenberg, reflecting upon the second stop of the Aboriginal and Church Leaders' Tour to Prepare for Truth and Reconciliation, held at the University of British Columbia on the evening of March 5. Beginning at the Vancouver School of Theology, well over 300 attendees were led by the beat of a Musqueam drummer, Victor Guerin, on a ceremonial walk to the Museum of Anthropology. It couldn't have been a more suitable setting for this time of truth-telling, listening, learning and healing – sitting in the great hall with the totem poles as a backdrop, in the area that had once been the site of a Musqueam warriors' village. Garan informed the audience that his people's warriors were first and foremost peacekeepers.
The tour was one of the first steps towards implementing Gathering Strength, Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan, unveiled by the federal government back in 1998, which included a statement of reconciliation acknowledging the Canadian government's role in Indian residential schools. Government may act slowly, but those present were witnessing a page of history in the making.
British Columbia's Regional Chief Shawn Atleo of the Assembly of First Nations (son of a residential school survivor) recalled conversations with his grandmother. She had spoken of a “heavy page that'll take a lot to turn it.” Through the efforts of many people – both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, Christian and non-Christian – that page is finally turning. The Aboriginal people's resilience, strength and courage help them hope for healing and reconciliation, but they also realize that there need to be many difficult discussions in the process. Atleo said they need to move beyond the hurt and pain, and he quoted a Navaho leader: “The most powerful tool in justice is Kleenex.” Alteo was sure that when he reported back to his grandmother, she would say, “Our prayers are being answered.”
Bob Watts, interim executive director of the TRC, reported on progress, including how the Aboriginal people are being empowered: they are being given a voice to express issues to be addressed, such as missing children and unmarked gravesites. As well, financial compensation is being offered to the estimated 80,000 survivors of the residential schools. The government is soon to designate three commissioners to head up the TRC, which will give survivors “an opportunity to share their individual experiences in a safe and culturally appropriate manner through statement taking or truth-sharing.”
The Vancouver leg of the tour had a spiritual focus. Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, National Anglican Indigenous Bishop of the Anglican Church of Canada, commented on the Spirit touching people's minds and hearts. Rev. Dr. Wendy Fletcher, principal of VST and whose grandfather was of Native descent, remarked that we were standing on sacred ground. She also said, “If we know the truth, the truth will set us free.” It is hoped that this process of truth-telling and reconciliation will free the Aboriginal people of their painful past and free the churches of their guilt so that right relations can be restored and we can hold hands and move forward together.
After the completion of the program at the museum, the Musqueam drummer, once again drumming and singing a Musqueam paddling song, escorted walkers back to VST. It was like we were paddling along with a common goal. As the drumbeats echoed back to us from the buildings across the road, it seemed as if the Aboriginal ancestors were there in spirit and gave their approval of these first steps towards peace and reconciliation between their people and those of the church. For the church's part, the more we are able to support the TRC and its efforts, the more we acknowledge the value of the Aboriginal people – especially the survivors.
