Truth ( towards Reconciliation)

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“When we find the courage to share our experiences and the compassion to hear others tell their stories, we force shame out of hiding, and end the silence.”
— Brene Brown

Our hearts, our world is crying out for justice and peace. I blogged a bit of my processing last week on the correlation between restoration and reconciliation. (Click here if you missed that post to read). I don’t know about you, but I am being taught to listen more, pray more as well as speak up more against the many areas of injustices. We all have a part to plan on the pathway to reconciliation. How can we support the voices of the vulnerable in our midst? One thing I know to be true, stories connect us. Brene Brown said, “When we find the courage to share our experiences and the compassion to hear others tell their stories, we force shame out of hiding, and end the silence.”

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Since attending Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation hearings and ceremonies in Saskatoon in 2012, I’ve committed myself to learn more about many of the injustices caused to Indigenous Peoples of Canada.
It ‘s overwhelming. The more I learn- the more I ache for reconciliation for all. I’ll always remember the deep lament, grief, anger, and sorrow expressed in those hearings from survivors. How much truth needs to come to the surface or descent upon a soul before true reconciliation can happen?

One heart, one person at a time…

I see glimmers of hope hearing stories, yet the pain is far-reaching. Rather than giving up because the atrocities and injustices are so massive, I am choosing to lean in with my heart to the Ethical Space (how we treat other human beings), Elder William Ermine spoke at Saskatoon’s 2019 Wichitowan conference. His presentation helped give voice to a group of people to engage in reconciliation amidst our diversity of life experience, beliefs, or understanding of the issues at hand. My personal faith desires the pathway to peace where Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers”, (Matthew 5:9). There are different forms of reconciliation, be it spiritual reconciliation or relational reconciliation. Many people feel frozen as to where to start, where or how to engage in reconciliation work?

My wise friend Jackie whom I have known for over 25 years has shared with me a healthy way of facing injustice issues and discerning our response. We must face the hard truth ourselves as to our part to engage in reconciliation with respect to Indigenous Peoples. She said we can all start by asking ourselves these 4 q’s which respects each individual’s story:⁠

Who am I?⁠ Where do I come from?⁠ Where am I going? ⁠What are my responsibilities?⁠*

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“There is so much that we can do to heal deep wounds.... It can begin by educating and/or re-educating ourselves, to not only ask questions but to engage actively in learning about our multi-dimensional histories. It can begin by checking our implicit and unconscious biases. It can begin by listening and standing alongside, and sometimes behind, ‘people of difference’. It can begin with compassion and empathy. What are we willing to do?”
— Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann

(Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann is the Vice Provost of Indigenous Engagement at the University of Saskatchewan who has recently posted a statement on racism for the campus. Click here to read from June 8th 2020.)

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Why Reconciliation  Matters

“Why is the topic of reconciliation with Canada’s TRC process important to non-Aboriginal Canadians?

Why should it matter to a Canadian who never attended a residential school? 

  • It matters because it continues to affect First Nations, Inuit, and Métis – people from vibrant cultures who are vital contributors to Canadian society.

  • It matters because it happened here – a land considered to be a world leader in democracy and human rights.

  • It matters because it is one of the major causes of poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, and violence among Indigenous Canadians.

  • It matters because Indigenous communities suffer levels of poverty, illness, and illiteracy comparable to those in developing nations.

  • It matters because we share this land. We may not be responsible for what happened in the past, but we all benefit from what First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people have had to relinquish”

    References above and photo from the “Legacy of Hope Foundation”

It Is Hard but Good to Face the Truth.

When others share their pain, their truth, sorrow, or grief in order to heal, it inspires others to likewise follow suit towards greater resiliency, authenticity, and more healthy relational interdependence. It is so true that we cannot heal what we hide. What I am finding on this path towards reconciliation, I cannot make it happen on my own accord. Approaching the process with steps of faith, there is hope. Having a community that values reconciliation makes a huge difference. It first starts with facing the dark side of truth. For that, I honor the survivors of the residential school systems who experienced abuse of various kinds- yet, they have come forth and shared their stories. As Gene McConnell of Authentic Relationships International says “You cannot heal what you hide”, and Dr. Dan Allender teaches: “You will never understand your story until you tell it”.

Reconciliation- A Learning Journey

In honor of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples Day held typically on June 21st, I wanted to take this time to share a few resources. The following are some helpful links I have found in understanding the Government of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation mandate and some of the organizations that are assisting with this process that I’ve connected personally with thus far:

“Reconciliation” with Context 2011 with Lorna Dueck, TRC Hearing Photos from Saskatoon-Regina LeaderPost- 2012, “Lost Voices”- Aug 2014 Context, Canada’s TRC Calls to Action -2015, “Reconciliation Journey with our Indigenous Neighbours” - MCC 2015, “Forgiveness and Truth and Reconciliation”- Context Dec 2015,” “La Loche a Red Flag for Canada”- Context with Dr. Terry LaBlanc Feb 2016, Indigenous Relations & Saskatoon Police”, Unveiling MMIWG Monument. - May 2017, OTC SK Vision for Reconciliation, “Reconciliation: Doing Our Part” Blog post - Ending Poverty Together, “Stalled on Reconciliation”- Context Feb 2020 (plus Canadian Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Legacy of Hope Foundation which has various exhibits such as Where are the Children).

May God, who is the Creator and sustainer of life give us faith to seek out His truth, and do our part on this journey of reconciliation.

“Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth...”
— Psalm 25:5 (Message)