It is like speaking the truth with your right hand on the Bible when you hold the feather. In a round circle at Kenora Fellowship Centre, Marvin shared his challenges. He humbly declared that he has not yet healed enough to make his drum. He told the story of the day, that at the age of 13 he actually escaped the residential school he was forced to attend. He managed to get home after three days of sleeping and hiding outdoors. He was fortunate to survive. Marvin got one night with his parents. In the morning, the police returned him to the school.
Glenn, a gifted artist, held the feather next. He shared his deep longing and grief regarding the family he never really had since he lost many of them to the long-term effects of residential schools. Elder Tommy shared his encouragement to those struggling with addictions and told his story of conquering the same. The journey of reconciliation will take time. There is also heartache for the residential school teachers who were not abusive. They too have suffered in the growing awareness of the harm done in the residential school initiative that began in the 1800s. The last residential school in Canada closed in 1996.
What was fundamentally wrong about the schools was the philosophy of our government—and supported by churches—to “assimilate” aboriginal people into the mainstream of the dominant culture. Terrible damage was committed to ongoing generations of survivors who were stripped of their roots and culture. Our denomination formally apologized in 1994 for our participation, and over the past six years, we have been involved in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process that culminated in 94 Calls to Action (trc.ca) presented on June 2, 2015 in Ottawa.
It was my great honour to be present for the final ceremony in Ottawa of the TRC on Dec. 15, 2015. I addressed the commission, survivors, Prime Minister Trudeau, the general crowd in attendance and Canadians watching on television about our resolve to carve out a new partnership based on mutual respect. We committed to “continue to hear and study the truth, to combat the ongoing effects of colonialism and to advocate for justice in those areas of Canadian society where the gaps between indigenous and non-indigenous remain far too wide: education, safety for women, clean water, access to health care, reasonably priced food, land and housing.”
I have since been a part of a number of discussions regarding how the Presbyterian Church may continue this process in a way that is meaningful and lasting. I am excited that our apology is not just on paper but that our denomination is seeking to actualize it with considerable consultation and partnership with aboriginal people. Our churches already have significant local ministries supported by Canadian Ministries (which can offer support thanks to Presbyterians Sharing). Be sure to visit presbyterian.ca for the comprehensive list.
It falls to all of us as Christians to recover relationships, listen carefully to the stories that have still not been told and not make the mistakes of the past as we seek to respect our brothers and sisters. There is much to be done and it will take time, but I am filled with hope that forgiveness and reconciliation is possible. Jesus calls all of us to love our neighbour as we love ourselves. We are still on a journey in learning the appropriate ways to do so.
