Pope Francis entrusts to the Apostleship of Prayer an intention for July that addresses an issue increasingly familiar to Canadians: "That indigenous peoples, whose identity and very existence are threatened, will be shown due respect." Last year's culmination of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission brought the situation of our indigenous peoples to a significant spot on the national agenda.
When we consider centuries of injustice we cannot be allowed to rest on our laurels. We have yet to reach the point of "due respect," but we can be confident that we have turned a corner and are on a healthy path. We have taken huge steps forward in the past year or so, ever since the TRC wrapped up in Ottawa last June.
It has become politically and socially unacceptable to treat our indigenous brothers and sisters with any level of racism, even when it's cleverly hidden inside an attitude of charity or paternalism. Religious and political leaders speak of all Canadians being equal partners in the dialogue about national matters.
It's only common sense that the First Nations are part of the dialogue. Their roots lie deeper than those of the rest of us, whether our ancestors settled in this land two hundred years ago or two months ago. Those of us who settled in this land, rather than being rooted forever in this land should feel humbled by the fact that our voices are adhered to. The first-comers are listening to the late arrivals!
I feel privileged that I was part of a one-day conference on June 22, 2016. That was one day after National Aboriginal Day and just over a year after the wrap up of the TThe Jesuits in English Canada and the University of St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto organized Truth, Reconciliation and Hope – A Vision for a new Canada. I have written before of our plans for the day.
The event itself was much richer and more engaging than most of us could have predicted. Almost 300 of us registered for the day. It was rich, diverse, and challenging. I'm sure that each participant had his or her favourite moments from the day. At the risk of ignoring many high points, I'll just mention a few elements that especially moved and challenged me.
Noel Starblanket is a Knowledge Keeper from Saskatchewan. He spoke of his life experience, which includes twelve years at a residential school. Starblanket referred to the accountability and responsibility that comes when we see and hear the truth. “We cannot un-see it or un-hear it!” It reminds me of the challenge of my Christian faith: once you have encountered the Lord, you can’t pretend that you haven’t.
Charlie Angus , Member of Parliament for Timmins, James Bay and the NDP critic for Indigenous Rights showed us that recent states of emergency on reserves have their basis in the fact that these “holding places” were never built to endure. He also stressed that the most important resource we have is not minerals; it is our children. Thus, he based his comments around the dream of Shannen Koostachin, a young girl he speaks of in his disturbing book, Children of the Broken Treaty.
Dr. Marie Wilson was one of the Commissioners of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. She offered a beautiful and moving rendition of the Gospel Beatitudes juxtaposed with statements from witnesses at the TRC. I would dearly love to have a written transcript so that I could pray with her words.
Draydin Cyr and Dylan Cyr-Yuzicappi are two high school students who were among the first graduates of Mother Teresa Middle School in Regina. They spoke of their own personal experience. It gave beautiful testimony to the fact that education is the key to the future. I especially loved the way one young man told us that preparing for his talk forced him to speak to his grandfather and get his story.
Those are a few moments. The day was filled with other moments of truth, reconciliation and hope. As promised in the title, the day was one of hope. Thus, it was wonderful that the final speakers were those two young men. The organizers of the day arranged for the day to be taped and for key players to be interviewed and recorded. The hope is that the fruit of the day will continue to be offered to others.
In the spirit of Pope Francis, let us pray that days such as Truth, Reconciliation and Hope further our dialogue and our efforts at full respect.