Page 33 - PC Fall 2023

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FALL 2023
By Cathy Gale, elder, Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church in Calgary, Alta., and member of the Grace Quilters group
As a 2023 General Assembly commissioner from the Presby- tery of Calgary-Macleod, I was privileged to participate in the first court moderated by an In- digenous person. Leadership by an Indigenous woman was especially meaningful knowing how detrimental colonial prac- tices have been to female leader- ship—something that had been common practice in Indigenous communities prior to coloniza- tion. This is one of many things I learned in my recently completed graduate program in education.
My course on Indigenous Knowledge and Leadership was so inspiring that I referred back to it throughout my final course, Cultivating Creativity. I cast my faith community as my educa- tional community, completing as-
signments in that context, sharing things I’d learned about Indig- enous cultures. My final creative project illustrates this: a quilted table runner.
This “Reconciliation Runner” is meant to be a visible reminder of the ongoing need for reconciliation, and the work required. It’s intend- ed for reflection by non-Indigenous people and doesn’t presume com- plete knowledge of Indigenous cultures and ways of knowing. It’s meant to spark curiosity and interest about whatever each of us needs to learn to become people of reconciliation. Since I am not an Indigenous person, I didn’t use an Indigenous design, but all design choices—pattern, colours and individual fabrics—point to com- mon Indigenous cultural priorities, such as the impor tance of land, and cultural and spiritual values.
For many Treaty 7 Indigenous peoples, on which Calgary-Ma- cleod exists, the Bear is consid- ered sacred, symbolizing courage or bravery. The Bear’s Paw pat- tern used in the runner is meant to remind us that acts of recon- ciliation take courage, while ro- tating blocks point to the need to consider multiple perspectives. Meaningful colours indicate the foundational importance of land, among other things, and lead into the unifying potential of reconcili- ation for all of us.
Reconciliation requires growth, and new ways of being, signified in the floral fabric that shows flow- ers in various stages and sizes. Reconciliationrequiresworkingto- gether, and the black fabric shows hands clasped in the shape of a heart, reminding us of community, collaboration and cooperation. Loving respect for one another is at the core of Indigenous relation- ships, as it is in Christian ones.
Reconciliation starts with learn- ing, so I share two key teachings for non-Indigenous people to com-
mit to, that my professor repeated regularly. The first learning: “Noth- ing about us, without us, for in speaking for me, you take away my voice.” Learning firsthand is impor tant, directly from Indig- enous people about their cultures and ways of knowing. Non-Indig- enous presumptions and assump- tions won’t help learning, and can perpetuate stereotypes, even unin- tentionally. Although I had learned from a credible, non-Indigenous authority, I had already chosen and cut the fabrics before I recalled the need to consult. It showed me how easily patterns of how we approach Indigenous cultures persist. If I was doing this again, I would reach out to Indigenous Elders or a nearby community and use their input right from the start.
The second learning: “Don’t walk ahead, to lead, or behind, to push, but walk alongside, to share the journey.” Becoming a respon- sible ally requires rethinking rela- tionships and being honest about the best ways to be led by and work with the Indigenous cultures we live among.
I sought input from the Rev. Jake van Pernis, Grace’s Associate Minister of Engagement and Ser- vice, and the Rev. Tony Snow, In- digenous Minister, Chinook Winds Region (United Church of Canada). Tony saw the design and gave feedback that something connect- ing to the community would be helpful, and an idea of circulating it within the presbytery came about.
Jake and Tony provided the idea ofhavingtheReconciliationRun- ner visit each congregation for several weeks, to spark oppor tu- nities for curiosity and discussion in as many people as possible. Each ministry decides how it will be viewed and used. The runner spent the month of June at Grace, displayed on the communion ta- ble, referenced in worship and in their regular communications,
including social media. My home church of Varsity Acres will host it in September, before it moves to the next congregation that books it. The Runner is accompanied by a document explaining its purpose and features. Hopefully, over time, it will take on an instructional “life” of its own within the Presbytery of Calgary-Macleod.
My advice to other creators? By learning about local Indig- enous cultures, non-Indigenous people realize what they and oth- ers need to learn also. Seek out and listen to the Indigenous com- munities whose traditional lands you live on; consider what needs to be shared. What are Indig- enous priorities? How can these be illustrated to others? For non- Indigenous creators, visual media must be careful not to appropri- ate Indigenous imagery. Learning comes first, and perhaps the idea of how to share it will follow. A visual tool engages people eas- ily and encourages them to come back to reflect and go deeper. Think creatively, source locally and close at hand—textile art, a painting, banner or mural, sculp- ture or carving, even something digital—the possibilities are end- less. It should be as unique as the context you live in. Ideally, it would involve a group of people to learn, share and build commu- nity; these are things the church can do well.
I’m very grateful for the support
of: the Grace Quilters, a ministry of Grace Presbyterian Church in Cal- gary, Alta., who generously shared their pattern library and “quilting stash”; to Jake and Tony for their input; and to my two inspiring pro- fessors who sparked this learning and encouraged me.
Growing into right relationships, we suppor t principles of recon- ciliation and become more active participants in the Truth and Rec- onciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and more like Jesus, who loved all.
Connection
RECONCILIATION
Creatively Working Toward Reconciliation
PRESBYTERIAN
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