Truth, Reconciliation, Learning, Reflection, Prayer

 

The Diocese of Calgary will be honouring the newly established Federal Stat National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th.  

We are encouraged not simply to take time off but to use it as an opportunity to spend some time learning and reflecting on Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and considering the TRC calls to action.   

Below are links to related resources; commended by the Diocese:

• Reconciliation Toolkit from the National  Church - https://www.anglican.ca/tr/reconciliation-toolkit/;
• University of Alberta Course  on Indigenous Canada Indigenous Course Indigenous Canada Offered by University of Alberta. Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that ... Enroll for free. www.coursera.org  ;
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission:
• Website and Background  
• Truth and Reconciliation
• CALLS to ACTION      
• UN declaration on rights of Indigenous People 
•  Background to the the Declaration

Additional resources:

Anglican Church of Canada -  Every Child Matters: Grace will Lead them Home - a video service of reflection and prayer, designed by a group of Indigenous Anglican Elders; including Archbishop Mark MacDonald, Bishop Sidney Black, the Rev Canon Laverne Jacobs, and Canon Donna G’yogwenace Bomberry.

Kairos Canada

•  A Reflection by Connor Sarazin  of Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation; and
• Scroll down the site's page to see contributions by other denominations and organizations including the Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers), the Christian Reformed Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), the Presbyterian Church in Canada, PWRDF, and the United Church of Canada.

A Prayer for Reconciliation and Healing*

Holy One, Creator of all that is, seen and unseen, of story and of song, of heartbeat and of tears of bodies, souls, voices and all relations: you are the God of all truth and the way of all reconciliation. Uphold with your love and compassion all who open their lives in the sacred sharing of their stories breathe in us the grace to trust in your loving forgiveness, that we may face our histories with courage; touch us through the holy gift of story that those who speak and those who listen may behold your own redeeming presence; guide us with holy wisdom to enter through the gates of remorse that our feet may walk gently and firmly on the way of justice and healing.  AMEN

*From the Anglican Church of Canada, excerpted from KAIROS, 2011-2012 (pdf)