Page 2 - PC Winter 2023-24

2 WINTER 2023
PRESBYTERIAN
Connection
MESSAGE FROM THE MODERATOR
Reflections from the Moderator’s Travels: June–September
church and retain the value of their own spirituality and beliefs. That the Spirit of God is at work with the Ochapowace people is evident through their forgiveness and wis- dom in choosing to recover from the traumatic effects of the Round Lake Residential School.
The testimonies of Ochapowace youth were powerful and heart- breaking, yet heartwarming and hopeful. Like their parents, they have experienced incredible abuse due to alcoholism, an outlet that so many residential school Survivors have turned, to dull the pain of their childhood experiences. Fully aware of the impact of the residen- tial school system on his family and his generation, one youth pref- aced his story by declaring how much he loved his father. Learning the details of his dad’s abuse as a child in residential school, he un- derstood and decided not to judge but humbly acknowledged that he might not have fared any better, in the same situation. He and other youth are saying the abuse stops with us and desire to see their peo- ple rise up again.
I shared that the conviction of the Ochapowace youth shows there is hope for peace in the world as Indigenous ancestors envi- sioned and prophesized. Their per- spective and actions have set an example of forgiveness, respect- ing differences among humanity, respecting life itself, and honour- ing the One who provides the gift of life. When Indigenous people are heard, it could mean changing our relationship with Mother Ear th, and our Western world view of her many gifts as commodities. For as Jesus said, love one another as I have loved you. What greater love is there than the will to give up one’s own life for others.
I read the Confession of the PCC of 1994 and the joint Confession of the two Moderators of 2019 and 2021. The people heard those beautiful,powerfulwords.Andwe hope and pray that we can work together for the good of all of us.
From one of the guest Elders, I learned that provinces aim to re- sume the role of governance over Indigenous people. Legislation through the Federal government’s Indian Act has not honoured the treaties with Indigenous people. But if provinces are successful, this means the nation-to-nation relationship established between Indigenous nations and Canada through the numbered treaties is not just broken but has been total- ly dismantled. We will need much prayer and support. May true rec- onciliation become a reality.
Continued on page 4
presbyterian.ca
By the Rev. Mary Fontaine, Moderator of 2023 General Assembly
Residential school monument site,
Parliament Hill – June
My first Moderator visit took place along with the Rev. Victor Kim, Principal Clerk of the PCC, and the Rev. Karen Dimock from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. The Right Rev. Dr. Car- men Lansdowne, Moderator of the United Church of Canada, and other church leaders were among the many guests who gathered on a hot day in June at Parliament Hill. We were in the company of many dignitaries, such as Senator Mary Simon and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. A lineup of well-known Indigenous leaders and residential school Survivors spoke to the up- coming installation of a monument to commemorate both Survivors and children who did not survive residential schools. A group of youth participated, as well. After- wards, I enjoyed lunch with Victor, Karen and other church leaders and a tour of downtown Ottawa with Karen. A slightly extended stay allowed for some research at the Library and Archives Canada with the help of Karen’s referral
and a tour of the area and its his- tory with a dear friend who lives in Ottawa. I was grateful for the warm hospitality in Ottawa.
Huu’ay-aht First Nation ceremony – July
In mid-July, I joined a group from Hummingbird Ministries to attend a Coming of Age ceremony for three young girls at the Huu-ay- aht First Nation on Vancouver Is- land. The community is reclaiming the high regard held for women in their traditional societies. It was a hopeful environment with a cer- emony that included a potlatch and traditional dances and songs. Eric Plummer, a reporter for Ha- Shilth-Sa newspaper, interviewed me and included my comments in his article, but not my role as Moderator of the PCC.
However, during the acknowl- edgements, the father of Eden Dennis, Wishkey, now named Kiskista, mentioned my role, say- ing: “It shows the heart of true reconciliation when the Modera- tor, who holds the highest office of the Presbyterian Church, comes to apologize personally for the harm done to our children through the residential school system.”
He then honoured me with an eagle feather from his own cedar
hat—a high honour in his culture and mine. There were rich bless- ings for Eden and the two other young women and their families. Thanks and blessings to the com- munity of Huu-ay-aht for their hospitality and their initiative in reclaiming their women as the life- givers they are. Huu’ay-aht is situ- ated in the rugged wilderness of the mountains, enroute to the West Coast Trail. Thanks to Natika Bock, a Vancouver School of Theology Presbyterian student, for arranging the visit and leading the way up a narrow rough gravel road.
Ochapowace First
Nation – August
The third Indigenous event I vis- ited during this period was the Ochapowace First Nation in Sas- katchewan on August 8. It was a combined youth and Elder gather- ing, where I apologized, as Mod- erator, for the harm done to their children through the PCC Round Lake Residential School. The testimonies of two youth were powerful, committed as they are to stopping the cycles of abuse carried forward from the residen- tial school system. Thanks to the Rev. Amanda Curry for arranging this visit.
As a Cree woman, whose Treaty
Six nations have suffered from the same trauma as those in the Treaty Four, it felt insincere saying “I’m sorry” to other Indigenous people for the harm done through the residential school system, which our church par ticipated in. Yet, as Moderator of the PCC, I am truly sorry and disappointed that our church was part of this instrument of colonialism that has caused so much lasting trauma for Indigenous people in Canada. The trauma inflicted by the legislation of the Indian Act and Canada’s in- stitutions are no less harmful and continue to be traumatic.
While being truthful about the deep harm inflicted by the residential school system, I also shared positive stories about good relationships with Presbyte- rians along the way. Throughout my life, I’ve noticed how often the Creator has posted human an- gels in unexpected places. John McKay, from Ireland, nicknamed Buffalo Hunter, was the first mis- sionary to Mistawasis. He hunted buffalo with Chief Mistawasis and learned our language. The Rev. W. W. Moore and his sister from England also gained much re- spect from our people. My mother learned sign language from Miss Moore and helped at the mission house, which was close to where her family lived.
I shared that, like her dad, my mother believed in the value of our culture and language. The Cree people envisioned keeping our own culture and beliefs like two canoes paddling side by side down the river with the new people who came to settle on our lands near Prince Alber t, Sask. I am pleased that Ochapowace and Treaty Four Nations have a similar perspective. In spite of the harm and ongoing traumatic effects of the residential school system, they respect the
The Rev. Mary Fontaine, Moderator of the PCC, pictured centre, at an event in Winnipeg urging political leaders to search landfill sites for the remains of Indigenous women.