Today is the summer solstice, the best it gets for us in terms of daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere. And this is National Aboriginal Day, first established to coincide with the solstice. In denominations such as the United Church we acknowledge this as a Aboriginal Day of Prayer, an opportunity to seek God's guidance in the process of healing and reconciliation with aboriginal peoples.
The United Church was one of the denominations which participated in the Residential Schools program which adversely affected the lives of so many native people. While the United Church didn't have many schools compared to other denominations, we were still involved and our last school closed in 1970.
Our emphasis these days is on the positive outcome of the Healing Fund which underwrites many projects such as outreach programs for aboriginal people in inner cities, as well as language and dance programs to help restore culture. The 1.2 million dollars was raised through contributions by United Church members. The United Church also participates in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission established by the Canadian government to hear the stories of those affected.
It is a start. Would you say you are well informed about United Church efforts at mending relationships with aboriginal peoples? Should we talk about this more or leave it alone?
I've been informed largely because of you, David.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the effort, and you're right: the fund is an aspect of the solution that seems to be working.
I appreciated reading again the Apology to First Nations Peoples (General Council/1986)on the back of Sunday's bulletin.
ReplyDeleteI do think we need to remember the error in our ways, and hope that it helps us to be more open to those who view the gospel through a different lens.