Indigenous and Community Relations Circle
Journeying together towards healing, reconciliation and right relationships with All
July – October 2022 ICRC Digest Issue 007
Dear Sisters,
As we see those beautifully colored leaves, we know it is autumn and we must soon say goodbye to summer. I could say it was a good summer. Now we move forward into the future, especially after that important visit of Pope Francis to Canada. We are still on the journey of healing and reconciliation, walking together with Indigenous peoples.
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.
“Walking Together” at Maskwacis and Lac St. Anne
I was so grateful and thankful that I had the opportunity to go with Srs ReAnne, Pricilla, and residential school survivors to hear the Pope’s Apology in Edmonton. We travelled by bus, and I was in the role of a support person to the group. I was so moved at seeing the Pope in a wheelchair, so humble and gentle in letting others push him through a graveyard at Maskwacis. We could see him on the big screen walking quite far; I had a big question in my mind, “Why don’t they just bring him right up onto the stage? He really does not need to walk that far.”
God answered my question by sending me an angel, an Indigenous woman (I called her “my angel) who sat beside me and said “I am glad that Papa had a long walk because he can feel the holy ground, the trauma, the pain we experienced”. As she said that, tears poured down her face. At that moment, I felt so strong that she was healed and reconciled to others. So in the spirit of love and hope, we walk with Pope Francis on the road to healing and reconciliation. Moreover, the Pope quietly came to the stage and said, “I humbly beg forgiveness of Indigenous Peoples and of this land of Canada”. I was touched when a chief put a chief’s headdress on the Pope. It was lovely to see them hug one another, smile, and shake hands.
At Lac Ste. Anne, I experienced the parable of the lost sheep. Why do I say that? Because we went with a group and we lost some of our members (some not one). Can you imagining that? The place was huge and we were surrounded by a lot of people. We did not know where we could find them, but just like Jesus in the Gospel, who left the ninety-nine sheep and went to find the lost one, we followed their footsteps, and were so happy when we found them. What a big relief!
Another moving moment was when the Pope held and blessed a child; he had the most beautiful smile on his face, and it touched my heart. I saw people around the Pope trying to touch him. Immediately a picture flashed in my mind of the woman in the Gospel, Luke 8, 44. She thought if she just touched Jesus’ clothes, she would be healed.
The ground of this place of pilgrimage is now a sacred healing place for generations to come. Pope Francis blessed the water and spoke of how many hearts have come here, anxious, longing, and weighed down by life’s burns, but now by this water are consoled and strengthened to carry on.. Thousands of people came to welcome the Pope on this pilgrimaged and left with cheerful hearts and love. At the end, some of us walked to the water to feel it. This was a blessing for me to be there and I just want to say, “Thank you, Lord”.
[Thuong Truong, RNDM]
Native Peoples Mission Ministry and the Mary Ward Centre
I returned to Toronto last Friday, September 2. After a day of rest, I went to attend the Native Mass at 12:30 pm at St. Ann’s Parish. I was sad to see that the usual practice of integrating the indigenous elements into the mass was no longer done because of the demise of Elder John Robinson and the subsequent absence of Indigenous persons. The pastor was also transferred as he had already been serving the parish for 15 years. With a new pastor and no regular Indigenous attendees, the Native Peoples Mission needs a new vision, for sure.
I continue to work as coordinator of the Indigenous and Community Relations Program of the Mary Ward Centre. The discernment continues regarding the best way the Centre could contribute to the work of reconciliation. Meanwhile, I attend and represent the Mary Ward Centre in some Indigenous-initiated events and meet with contact persons to discuss possible collaboration opportunities. The usual concern that I encounter is how to finance these initiatives. With the proliferation of free webinars and events, most people do not pay or donate. In addition there is the fact that this area is marginalized and needs an advocate for the people.
My thesis work is into its last stages; I am writing the final chapter. Please continue to pray that my thesis director and I meet all the challenges that come our way, and that we find creative solutions.
My mother is keeping generally well, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to go home and help make the necessary decisions for her healthcare after going through many medical assessments. We are grateful that a care giver is with her, a Dulangan Manobo, who is a friend from Kulaman. Through her, God has granted me a great blessing from a mission place that I dearly love and served for many years. My family is organizing a “Christmas Fun in Kulaman” in December/ they will do visiting and gift-giving with the Delesan Kailawan children, and will also be bringing gifts for the bead workers and health workers.
[Petite Lao, RNDM in Toronto]
Seeing the Pope in Person
The joy of attending the public Eucharistic Celebration by Pope Francis at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton was a memorable and incredible blessing for me. I felt privileged to have the opportunity to attend this Mass when many others were unable to obtain a ticket. It was an exciting moment to be present at such an historic event for the Church, and especially for the Peoples of this Land. Persons of all races and colors participated in the Eucharistic celebration in a spirit of joy, enthusiasm and celebration. The symbols in the stadium were powerful and reflected the varied traditions and cultures of our land. The volunteers who accompanied the clergy and the communion ministers wore orange, a symbol of solidarity with First Nations Peoples.
Many persons in the Congregation also wore orange scarves, hats, and shirts with the image of Pope Francis and the words, “Walking Together”. The Eucharist began with drumming and singing in the Indigenous language while people lined up to receive the Pope’s blessing as he exited the ‘popemobile’ to begin Mass. Pope Francis walked among the people, graciously blessing and greeting everyone, including the elders who stood in line to greet him. For the thousands who were unable to get close, the Pope waved his hands and blessed them from afar. Many people brought their children and babies, whom he graciously greeted and blessed.
This celebration took place on July 26, the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus. In his homily, the Holy Father invited everyone to thank God for the gift of their grandparents. The Pope invited everyone to honor and celebrate this feast day and learn from the Child Jesus the importance of honoring, loving, and knowing our relatives. Remembering and experiencing again their closeness, tender love, and wisdom is a blessing and a treasure not to be forgotten. What stays with me are his words, “We are children of a history that needs to be preserved”
Pope Francis highlighted that everyone of us is a child of a history that needs to be preserved; we are not isolated individuals, as no one comes into the world on his or her own. Therefore, our roots and the families into which we were born and grew up are part of a unique history that gives us life. We did not choose that history but we received it as a gift – a gift to cherish and flourish. He reminded us that we need to be grateful to our parents and grandparents who helped us feel welcome into the world, and who loved us unconditionally without expecting anything in return. They modeled and taught us goodness, love, faith, and wisdom – the solid roots of humanity.
To me, the visit of Pope Francis and his apology will bring healing and reconciliation, build a relationship with Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and ease the pain of those who lost their loved ones at Residential Schools, and for all who suffered in any way. Let us walk together and support each other in the healing journey.
[Sr. Jacinta Dkhar, RNDM]
Pow Wow
Pow wow is one of the most important events for the Indigenous brothers and sisters. Srs. Re Anne, Thuong and I were fortunate to participate in this great event which took place in Lebret. Once COVID restrictions eased, we were able to continue this big event which brings joy to the many who participated. There was a lot to see all around. Tipis big and small, and food stalls with never-ending queues had been put up. There was a Saskatchewan Roughrider band performing to welcome everyone.
People, young and old, dressed in different costumes, were busy registering their names. There was a lot of excitement and positive energy on the pow wow ground. This was a big event for me too, so all I could do was look and enjoy the moment. The grand entry began around 5:30. It was beautiful to see all the Chiefs, Politicians, Players, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Pow Wow Performers and Immigrants to mark this great day.
After the grand entry, there were tiny tots ready to perform with their tiny little feet. It was interesting to see young mothers or grandparents on the grounds accompanying and supporting their little ones. There were cheers and clapping to encourage these young kids. The celebration continued with different aged groups. Prizes were given to those who performed well and also there were a few giveaways for the few families whose loved ones had passed away recently. The event lasted for two days. It was a really good day to be with the people and enjoy the event. Everything was great and beautiful.
[Sr. Pricilla Lugun, RNDM]
Celebration Miyo-Wiciwitowin Day... "Let's Walk Together in a Good Way" Day
The people of Regina were invited to join the celebration. It had been planned two years ago. The pandemic put it on hold. September 29th was the perfect Day, it seemed. The day before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The weather was warm and sunny, not a breeze to be felt. Thuong, Pricilla, Reanne and I joined in the celebration with the youth from both the Public and Separate School Systems. There were an estimated 12.000 survivors of residential schools, indigenous elders and other adults.
As participants streamed in we were warmly welcomed with a friendly voice announcing the drumming circle and the dancers. There was an hour long presentation. The line-up of speakers represented the civil and indigenous leaders from the Province and even the Governor General, Mary Simon.
The indigenous Chief Cadmus Delorme spoke in Cree as he greeted us saying “It is a beautiful day; our youth in this stadium are driving those conversations at kitchen tables across this country.
The biggest challenges are the parents and grandparents who have known the truth (of our Indigenous history)”.
Mayor Sandra Masters in her address to the crowd reiterated that the day was about “walking together in a good way”. As a sign that the city of Regina was committed to this path of reconciliation she unveiled a TRUTH seat painted bright orange amidst the sea of green seats in the stadium. “It is meant to honor those who never came home from residential schools.” She said” that we can’t forget.”
Amidst the festivities the youth may not have caught all the wise and compelling words and thoughts shared with them. This experience, reflected on in their classrooms, will no doubt bear fruit in due season. It was a first of its kind in Saskatchewan and, maybe, as one speaker reflected, across Canada. It came to be because of the collaboration and planning between indigenous and non- indigenous peoples “walking together in a good way”. It was good for us to be there!
[Sr. Patricia Orban]
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2022
To celebrate this day we had a special rosary and cultural event at Holy Rosary cathedral. We began with the smudging as we entered the Church. We had prayers and intentions with the lovely hymns prepared by Sr ReAnne followed by Rosary in Cree by elder May. As she conducted each decade she shared her stories of her experience of residential school. It was for healing and for those who did not make it home. It carried a lot of meaning and emotion as we recited each decade. After the Rosary we had a cultural event in the parking lot performed by the little tent family.
It was lovely to see little ones dancing away with a lot of enthusiasm as the drums were played. There was rhythm in their feet, in their drums and this messages which they passed on, “Every child matters”. At the end everyone was invited for the round dance. When one family was invited to dance, he said “we are all friends in this circle and there are no boundaries as we are all one. When we move out from here, we carry the same spirit of friendliness and joy”. This was quite a beautiful moment to see and experience.
[Sr. Pricilla Lugun, RNDM]
Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions
393 Gaboury Place
Winnipeg, MB
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