Indigenous and Community Relations Circle
Journeying together towards healing, reconciliation and right relationships with All
April – May 2022 ICRC Digest Issue 006
Dear Sisters,
Summer is here! Hooray! Hooray!
The weather is lovely, we can enjoy going out for a walk or picnic but we do not forget we are in historic times in the life of the church walking with Indigenous Peoples. We are very excited that the Pope will come in July to visit and apologize them.
And we are very grateful and happy to receive your contributions: a snippet of events you have attended, related books you have read, resolutions you have made, reconciliation prayers you have prayed, a poem you meditated on…the list goes on. Please send your contribution by email to maithuongrndm@gmail.com by the 10th of the month.
Listening from the Heart
In the Nov-Dec issue of the ICRC Digest (003), I shared that I have been taking part in monthly online meetings of the Faithful Climate Conversations Facilitators Network initiated by For the Love of Creation ecumenical eco-justice project. I had been looking forward to the topic scheduled for our March gathering – “decolonization” as it applies to our ecological, spiritual and social contexts – hoping to come away with some understanding of decolonization in practical terms. Rev John Snow Jr and Tony Snow, brothers, indigenous ministers in the United Church, and direct descendants of signatories to Treaty Number 7 (southern Alberta area), had been invited to offer their thoughts.
As it turned out, the greater part of our meeting was spent in group conversation, as, together, we tried to unfold the meaning and implications of decolonization. The Snow brothers reminded us of indigenous elder Vine Deloria Jr’s holistic perspective on “structural windows” as spaces enabling mutual exchange from diverse positions/paradigms (see ICRC 003). Tony spoke, too, of the work of decolonization as “dismantling systems of oppression in order to restore equality,” and John put forward the following questions, “As we think of decolonization, how are we listening to the elders? How are we listening to indigenous elders and communities? How are we communicating with our indigenous neighbours?” One suggestion from the brothers was to speak to credible people about indigenous cultural customs, seasonal or ceremonial times, and relational times for building community connections, as these can become opportunities for offering support and starting points for dialogue.
Certainly, the overriding lesson for me that evening was LISTENING – to deconstruct what I have learned, to awaken to indigenous perspectives, to learn where and how I continue to make mistakes, to seek mutuality, communion and a common understanding of our earth…
And so, I listen – and pray to understand.
[Sr. Claudia Stecker, RNDM]
So,
let’s try something, even now. Even as
you tend these lines, attend for a moment
to your breath as you draw it in: regard
the breath’s cool descent, a stream from mouth
to throat to the furnace of the heart.
Observe that queer, cool confluence of breath
and blood, and do your thinking there.
Scott Cairns, quoted by Richard Rohr in “just this,” p.51
During the second week of Lent, we attended an important and moving ceremony at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Aboriginal Church in Winnipeg. Stanley Fontaine, a longtime member of our parish, had been ordained to the priesthood many years ago, and later decided to leave priestly ministry. His petition to return to active ministry was accepted.
Archbishop Richard Gagnon presided over the ceremony in the presence of Father Richard Arsenault, Father Francois, the members of several religious communities, and the parishioners of St. Kateri. The ceremony opened with a procession to the accompaniment of drumming, an aboriginal cultural custom.
Then Father Stan promised his life to God in front of the Archbishop, priests, and people; he promised to serve all nations. He then shared about his life and calling and the importance of Mother Mary in his decision to return to active ministry. When he left the priesthood, his mother was very upset and wanted him to return. Later he felt Mother Mary encouraging him in this direction. He reflected, prayed, and then made the decision, a process that took about seven years.
The people and his family were very happy to see and participate in this important celebration. After Mass, the parish offered soup and bannock.
We thank God for calling Father Stan to ministry and his generous response.
[Sr. Nwe Ni Oo, RNDM]
Welcome to the Circle of Kokums
The “Circle of Kokums “here in the Archdiocese of Regina has been an integral part of the Truth and Reconciliation journey for years. Kokums (Cree word for Grandmas) are esteemed members in the indigenous cultures. They have not only given the precious gift of life to their family members but also are there to care for each generation with their love, care and wisdom…
Bishop Don basis all the actions of the “Truth and Reconciliation” journey on the foundation of “nothing about us, without us.” The Kokums are involved in the various committees, such as the one for Indigenous Spirituality, working alongside Bishops and others to present a paper to the CCCB. Working in the Separate School Board as Elders. They are all wisdom keepers. They are consulted with on a regular basis. Sr. ReAnne has journeyed with them all in the past years.
Last month, Pricilla, Thuong and I were welcomed into their first “in person” gathering since the pandemic began. It was a joy to be with them and sit in in a sharing circle with them. Following their protocol one Elder is given tobacco as an honour and thanks the Creator for the food we will share. After having shared the fruits of the earth with one another. The elder opens the circle with a prayer. She begins the sharing and passes the talking stone to the right when finished. The one who holds the stone shares what is on her heart for the time it takes her. The rest of us simply listen with our hearts. There are stories, challenges shared and woven together with laughter and tears. Everything shared is held in the circle deep compassion.
This month another circle was held. The Archdiocesan Synod Committee had invited the Kokums to share their voices to the Synod on their indigenous journey with the Church especially in response to the Pope’s recent apology to those who went to Rome and all Canadian Indigenous Survivors of Catholic Residential Schools. It was a challenge and was difficult. We all listened deeply to the stories pain and suffering evoked by the apology and still present in their lives. We heard their stories of resilience and hope too. We prayed with deep compassion and gratitude for each other. Sr. ReAnne was able to send in a summary to the Archdiocese Synod Committee.
On May 28th our diocese will have an Archdiocesan Gathering in a spirit of dialogue to finalize the summary of all groups and individuals that were sent the Archdiocese. This document will be sent onto the Western Conference of Bishops. May the Spirit of life renew our hearts and all the people of God to live the gospel of love in our times.
[Sr. Patricia Orban, RNDM]
Visit to Peepeekisis
Celebration always brings us together. On Sunday Morning May 22, Srs ReAnne, Patricia, Thuong and I headed out to go to Peepeekisis, one of the Reserves, to have mass. The mass was for the memorial service of elder Jerry’s mom. It was the 4th year of death anniversary. It was a lovely day. We drove around an hour and half to reach the place. Mass started at 12:30 so we could say hello to a few of the people before the mass. There were about 15 of us. Fr Adelberto celebrated the mass. Sr ReAnne led the hymns which were quite lively. After our mass we headed towards the school for the memorial service and giveaway.
The service started with a prayer and an honour song. It was a family gathering so I was happy to see new faces and get to know them. After our prayer, the family gave the things that they had brought. Everyone could get something, a small or a big gift which was a nice gesture and appreciated. Meal was a potluck so everyone could enjoy delicious food. At the end, the family, mostly the siblings, were asked to say something. It was nice to hear them speaking about their memories of their bringing up with their mother. I got to see the five generations of their family. It was good to be with the family and to learn their culture and how they remembered their mother. God bless their family and grant eternal rest to their mother.
[Sr. Priclla Lugun, RNDM]
Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions
393 Gaboury Place
Winnipeg, MB
Canada
R2H 0L5
Phone: (204) 786-6051
Fax: (204) 691-0640