Indigenous Surge. That’s the title of the photo at the top of this post. It catches something of the energy and resolve of dancers who led the way for 10,000 protesters marching from Queen’s Park to Nathan Philips Square in Toronto on June 6, 2021. The protest was part of a nation-wide awakening, following the discovery of unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. The purpose and endurance reflected in this photo seem unstoppable.
There are two other examples of an Indigenous surge, I would like to present.
First, on Sunday, March 20, 2022, Stan Fontaine, an Ojibwe of Sagkeeng First Nation, was re-instated to the ministerial priesthood, after a long absence. In thanking people after the re-instatement ceremony, Fr. Stan reflected:
Our people often travelled in order to learn. To learn from creation, and from people who had knowledge. Everywhere, our people learned wisdom and knowledge. The earth was our classroom.1
He went on to say:
… every person is like a book of knowledge, filled with experience, … The experiences we have in life are like a circle … We start off from the places we were born, travel to many different places learning from and about others, only to return to the original place in one big circle. Only this time, we return to our origins with new eyes, a new heart and a new perspective.2
A second example. Six days after Stan’s re-instatement, on March 26, an Indigenous delegation and various Bishops travelled to Rome to meet with Pope Francis. Personally, I did not have a good feeling about this meeting, and for multiple reasons, felt rather apprehensive, even cynical about it.
To my amazement and delight, Spirit hovered over these conversations at the Vatican in wondrous ways! Whatever happened in that week, members of the Indigenous delegation who seemed to go in cautious, and somewhat skeptical, emerged from the meetings joyful, relieved, celebrative. There were round dances in St. Peter’s plaza.
Something had clearly happened, and participants in the meetings seemed transformed. In speaking with Pope Francis, they experienced themselves being heard, respected, believed. They spoke of themselves as partners with Francis and with the bishops in the ongoing work of reconciliation. Indigenous surge. A miracle of grace. While I did not hear any Bishops use the term “partners”, I pray they experienced a similar turn towards genuine partnership.3
Consciously and unconsciously, Indigenous and “newcomers” have been on a long journey together. There have been tragedies and blessings along the way. In spite of soul-searing betrayals, PTSD, and moral injury, the journey continues. In the words of Stan Fontaine, may we “return to the original place in one big circle. Only this time, … return to our origins with new eyes, a new heart and a new perspective.”4
1 Stan Fontaine in his thanks to people at his re-instatement to the ministerial priesthood. St. Kateri Tekakwitha Indigenous parish, Winnipeg, MB. March 20, 2022. Shared in personal correspondence with the author.
2 Ibid.
3 Here is a video, and text of Pope Francis’ April 1 remarks to the Indigenous delegation at the Vatican: https://tinyurl.com/58fkztc3
And here is a link to the Indigenous delegation’s responses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=J1YPQOL0a6o
4 Ibid.
Photo Credit: “Indigenous Surge” Image © Michael Swan, 2021, via Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.
License: Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic — CC BY-ND 2.0
Used in accordance with the license and copyright law.
Veronica Dunne is a Sister of our Lady of the Missions (RNDM), who has primarily worked as an educator and counsellor in institutional and community based settings in Canada. She has also served with the RNDMs outside of Canada in Senegal, Peru, and Aotearoa New Zealand.
A 2002 Doctor of Ministry graduate from the University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto School of Theology at the University of Toronto, she subsequently served as director of the Doctor of Ministry program at St. Stephen’s College at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Her current research interests are in eco-theology and cosmology, and their intersections with indigenous cosmologies and spiritualties.
She presently serves on the RNDM leadership team in Canada.
Thank you, Veronica. The title “Indigenous Surge” really captivated me; a surge toward truth, reconciliation, and the full flourishing of all. “Surge” feels like a lifeforce beyond our control, and I find that hopeful.
When I read this piece, Veronica, The Hero’s Journey as described by Joseph Campbell came to my mind. I have a deep admiration and respect for Indigenous Peoples who have continued to persevere for so long in this journey, hoping for and inviting all of us to join them, even when it can feel so overwhelming and, I imagine, discouraging.