National Indigenous Peoples Day 2023

When we drive through the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory only a few kilometres east of us I try to be aware that there is an vibrant Indigenous culture close at hand. Tyendinaga is probably best known to outsiders as the home of cheaper gas, cigarettes, and marijuana products which is unfortunate because there is strong sense of community rooted in the Mohawk tradition. 

On this National Indigenous Peoples Day its important to be aware of the First Nations communities where we live and consider the often fraught relationship between Christianity and Indigenous spirituality. There are churches at Tyendinaga, although I'm not aware of a United Church presence. We know that different denominations were complicit in the program to extinguish Indigenous cultures in this country yet there is still a Christian witness today, often honouring traditional spirituality. 

The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, 44th Moderator of The United Church of Canada

Credit: Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne

The current Moderator of the United Church is Carmen Lansdowne and she is an Indigenous person, originally from British Columbia. Here is a paragraph from her online bio and the link to her message for this day: 

Ordained in 2007, the Rev. Dr. Lansdowne is only the second Indigenous person to be elected Moderator, following the Very Rev. Stan McKay, who served as Moderator 1992‒1994. A member of the Heiltsuk First Nation, she was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia, and has been a lifelong member of the United Church. She is committed to an Indigenous way of being in the world.

https://united-church.ca/news/moderators-message-national-indigenous-peoples-day-2023

 Published On: May 11, 2023

Below is a United Church press release about a Mohawk language translation of the Bible as well and an explanation of the United Church Crest with the "all my relations" motto in Mohawk: 

A much-anticipated project will be on bookshelves this fall.

After recognizing the need to preserve the Mohawk language, the idea to produce a Mohawk translation of the Bible was proposed. Preserving language enables future generations to engage in their rich culture in a rounded and essential way. Without understanding dialect-specific phrases and expressions, the vital wisdom of a culture can be lost.

Those partnering on the Mohawk Language Bible have taken great care and effort in ensuring proper language interpretation and translation. Working in agreement with the Mohawk Nation, collaborators have taken the time to listen to each other and learn in order to move the project forward.

A dedication of the Bible is set to take place on September 9, 2023, in Kanesatake, QC. The translation is expected to be available in hardcopy, digital copy, and audiobook formats.

Your gifts to Mission & Service allow projects to preserve language and culture to flourish.

In August of 2012, at the 41st General Council held in Ottawa, Ontario, the United Church of Canada acknowledged the presence and spirituality of Aboriginal peoples in the United Church by revising the church’s crest. The crest changes included incorporating the four colours of the Aboriginal medicine wheel and adding the Mohawk phrase “Akwe Nia’Tetewá:neren”, which means “all my relations”.