The focus was a piece written by KAIROS called The Blanket Exercise. During the exercise an accurate history of the [...]]]> The people of St. Clair United invited folks in the community of Aamjiwnaang and the United Churches in the city of Sarnia and county of Lambton to come together for an educational event.

The focus was a piece written by KAIROS called The Blanket Exercise. During the exercise an accurate history of the interaction between Aboriginal and Europeans was read and enacted by participants.

Following this powerful presentation [you can contact KAIROS for the resource] we began a talking circle. The depth of sharing and learning was moving as native and non-natives wrestled with the information they had received and the feelings that arose.

We had intended to include a short DVD presentation on residential schools, but at the two hour mark which was the time we asked people to commit to, we having finished our talking circle joined together in the sharing of lunch and conversation. Since word has gotten out to the communities about this event, we’ve been approached to have another evening like this one. We’ve yet to commit to that!

An informal gathering on January 3, 2010, in Edmonton viewed “We Are”, a new video and met two of the people involved in its production. Seneca Crowe, (second from left in photo below) a 14 year old Stoney student introduced the [...]]]> Edmonton Youth Learn the Need for Reconciliation While Producing “WE ARE” Video

An informal gathering on January 3, 2010, in Edmonton viewed “We Are”, a new video and met two of the people involved in its production. Seneca Crowe, (second from left in photo below) a 14 year old Stoney student introduced the video and told how she and her friends produced it with the help of her mother, Charlene Bearhead, who was also present.

The complete “WE ARE” video.

The video tells the story of how a group of young people went about learning the history of their people in Canada including Japanese, Chinese, German and Stoney/Cree – all of whom suffered from government actions and policy, at various stages in Canada’s history. Seneca, in introducing the video, explained how her involvement in the National Day of Healing and Reconciliation helped her to see the need for reconciliation and gave her the motivation to produce the video as a way to do something about it.

After viewing the video the 16 people present had a lively discussion about how it had impacted them and shared ideas about how to promote it. A young lady visiting from the Ukraine said she was inspired to hear how young people and others in Canada are working to make people aware of their history and finding ways to share. She told about a similar need in the Ukraine and the reconciliation work she was involved in there with Initiatives of Change, an international ngo.

Everyone attending had completed a prior workshop with one workshop of First Nations people and one workshop for ‘church’ people.

These workshops covered the same areas and followed the same format but within those two broader groupings. Then those who gathered for this particular workshop each spent an additional 2 days together [...]]]>

Everyone attending had completed a prior workshop with one workshop of First Nations people and one workshop for ‘church’ people.

These workshops covered the same areas and followed the same format but within those two broader groupings. Then those who gathered for this particular workshop each spent an additional 2 days together before our two groups came together for a three day period of ‘conversation’ amongst First Nation and ‘church’ people.
This helped to ensure that our intentions were such that we could indeed enter into conversation in a way that respected each person and created space for listening, sharing, healing, and reconciliation all without blaming and accusation.

Because of the preparatory work that each individual had completed under the direction of the facilitators, we could trust that this would be a safe place to share our stories, listen to the stories of the ‘other’, to truly hear and feel heard, to grieve and to let go knowing that we were not alone in our pain or sorrow but that we were now ready to move forward and had indeed created space to do so. It is hard to live in a different way if we never really make room to do so.

The ‘Returning to Spirit’ program is a powerful transformational process that creates a space for all of us to stand together in presence to one another just as we are – however we call ourselves and to move ahead in willingness to create something new. It is an opportunity to be reconciled with a past which holds great shame and pain – and to successfully claim an intention to be something different in this present and in the future.

I have worked with people my whole life and had come to believe that impact to ‘person’ takes generations to break. ‘Returning to Spirit’ dispels this myth demonstrating that lasting transformation can indeed happen in a very short time – we need to choose it.

People’s mannerisms, the way they carry themselves, the way their face appears, and their inner feelings change for the positive in dramatic lasting ways during a ‘Returning to Spirit’ workshop. Not only in regards to issues resulting from Residential Schools, but within our personal lives – our families, our workplaces, and our communities. I would encourage anyone to embrace the opportunity to live intentionally and authentically and be all they have been created to be and this workshop is that chance.

Contact Information Returning to Spirit ©
Residential School Reconciliation
phone: 204-772-1991 (Winnipeg Office)
phone: 403-244-3963 (Calgary Office)
fax: 403-270-3963
email: info@returningtospirit.org

Introduction: The Restoring the Circle Committee was formed in May 2008 in response to the national Truth and Reconciliation process and the call for communities to provide events. We are a group of interested community members, representing our First Nations, [...]]]> Restoring the Circle A response to the Truth and Reconciliation Process in our community

Introduction:
The Restoring the Circle Committee was formed in May 2008 in response to the national Truth and Reconciliation process and the call for communities to provide events. We are a group of interested community members, representing our First Nations, our churches, our local community college, community organizations, service agencies, health care professionals, educators, business people, farmers, and citizens from many nationalities and age groups, youth to Elders.

We meet with the intention of bringing clarity to each other and to our local communities about the impacts of the Indian residential schools on our communities and ourselves. We want to provide opportunities for all people to rekindle awareness of who they are and what they are capable of, and to empower all people to seek ways to foster their own physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing and growth.

The Goals of Restoring the Circle

• 1. Education: To educate each other and ourselves about our collective history, including, especially, government policies which have impacted Aboriginal communities.
• 2. Culture: To know who we are and share our knowledge with each other.
• 3. Health: To understand how historic trauma relates to our current health issues, body, mind and spirit.
• 4. Healing: Together, we will develop ways to build effective and compassionate relationships which celebrate a positive, collective healing and reconciliation movement with Educational, Justice, Political, Health, Community and Religious institutions.

Our Purpose

There is hope for all nations to each live our own cultural, spiritual teachings. We will reclaim our cultures and heal ourselves. The drum, our heartbeat sounds loud and strong. Together we walk the sacred path of truth and honour. We welcome you to join with us as we build a better future, are responsible, and walk in a sacred way. What we do today is for our future generations. Restoring the Circle Maandigeh (Mon-deh-geh – The Gathering) September 28 – 30, 2009 at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, Owen Sound This three day conference will look at how negative past experiences of racism, assumptions and biases, negative stereotypes and cultural beliefs affect our present health and well-being, and how we can work together as a community to restore health and bring all peoples together. It will include workshops and teachings from respected presenters and leaders from all nations, with a focus on Justice, Education, Culture, Health and Healing and the development of community reconciliation practices to:

• Begin the process of healing in our communities
• Increase knowledge and understanding of aboriginal culture and spirituality
• Build and foster relationships between individuals, community groups and service providers of all cultures.
• Address the issues of abuse, addictions and disrupted family relationships.
• Break down barriers and address racism and discrimination within the broader community.
• Find next steps to move us forward.

Angela Ashkewe Maandigeh Coordinator
restoringthecircle@gmail.com
380 9th St E Owen Sound
ON N5K 1P1
519 376 1560 ext. 112
519 376 5458 fax

Please, consider this letter as your personal invitation to register for Maandigeh, “The Gathering” being held at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound On.

On September 28, 29 and 30, 2009.

It is our hope in holding Maandigeh, “The Gathering”, we can develop ways to build new relationships and hopefully, rebuild relationships which celebrate healing and reconciliation within the educational, judicial, political, health, community and religious institutions. Your presence would be a great help in achieving this milestone. We ask that you come with an open mind which is willing to learn and understand.

Should you leave Maandigeh, “the Gathering” with even the slightest understanding then we have succeeded! If you are unable to attend all three days, there is the option of attending any of the three days. Please, find enclosed a registration pamphlet for this event.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at
restoringthecircle@gmail.com or 519-376-1560, ext. 112.
visit our web site www.restoringthecircle.yolasite.com

Yours truly, Angela Ashkewe Maandigeh Coordinator

What does Kirk do as librarian?

Hosted by the Governor General, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, and moderated by Rosemary Thompson, this conversation marked the one year anniversary of the Government of Canada’s [...]]]> On June 11, 2009, the Legacy of Hope Foundation organized a conversation on reconciliation between National Chief Phil Fontaine, Chief Robert Joseph and John Ralston Saul.

Hosted by the Governor General, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, and moderated by Rosemary Thompson, this conversation marked the one year anniversary of the Government of Canada’s apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools.

Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean provided the opening remarks for the conversation. She spoke of the need for Canadians to write and embrace the truth of their past and provided inspirational words encouraging all Canadians to seize the opportunity to achieve reconciliation. During the opening remarks of the conversation participants, National Chief Phil Fontaine spoke of hope and optimism, and indicated his belief that through reconciliation, Canada can be transformed. John Ralston Saul commented on the task ahead for non-Aboriginal people to understand their history and to move towards reconciliation and a new future. Chief Robert Joseph described the importance of undertaking reconciliation at the individual level. He encouraged the audience to begin to think about what reconciliation means to them and how they can contribute to and participate in conversations about reconciliation.

The participants discussed their thoughts and perceptions of what reconciliation would look like in 10, 15, and 20 years from today. This conversation was followed by questions and answers from the audience. Her Excellency offered closing remarks for the conversation. Again inspiring the room, the Governor General spoke of her own journey to Canada and how she felt connected to the country through Aboriginal peoples and communities. She indicated that the country needs to change its paradigms, and stop calling the problems affecting Aboriginal people as Aboriginal problems, because they are Canadian problems and Canadian issues. Finally, Her Excellency noted that if we want to go from words to action that we need to understand that reconciliation is a shared responsibility that requires that we break the indifference in Canada. This conversation can be viewed HERE