Page 4 - PC Winter 2023-24

4 WINTER 2023 Continued from page 2
The event closed with the KAI- ROS Blanket Exercise, revised to include new, important and pow- erful information. KAIROS is genu- ine in its fight for social justice. The MC did a fantastic job, as did all the participants.
Together with representatives from the United, Anglican, Lu- theran and Catholic churches, we gathered in a spirit of confession, the wounding of innocent children and the participation of the church in a system that disgraces the name of Jesus Christ. Round Lake is beautiful. It’s hard to believe that horrible things could happen to lit- tle children here, where God’s love and power speaks through the abundance of crops and the beau- tiful rolling hills, left by the ice age.
Winnipeg landfill
event – September
At the urging of the Right Rev- erend Carmen Lansdowne, an Indigenous woman and 44th Moderator of the United Church of Canada, Yvonne Bearbull and others, I attended this gathering in my role as Moderator and the first Indigenous Moderator of the PCC. The leaders of the Anglican and Lutheran churches, all women, participated in this event organ- ized to urge political leaders to search landfill sites for the remains of two missing Indigenous wom- en: Morgan Harris and Mercedes Myran. Thanks to Yvonne Bear-
PRESBYTERIAN
Connection
The Rev. Mary Fontaine and the group at the event at Ochapowace First Nation in Saskatchewan. PHOTO CREDIT: RED THUNDERBIRD PHOTOGRAPHY
bull who assisted me throughout and arranged for members of the Presbytery of Winnipeg to meet me at the airport. The Rev. Jinsil Park, Moderator of the Presbytery, par ticipated until the end, taking photos and videos on that chilly, rainy and windy day.
The warm welcome and hos- pitality extended to an eagle who flew over us when it was my turn to speak. Everyone looked up and I said, “Well, that’s a good sign.” People agreed. I certainly felt the blessing, and it might even have inspired people to listen more attentively.
One of the teachings I shared in my address on stage was to not give up. That hope, according to one of the 15 Cree tipi pole teach- ings, is not an option but a respon-
sibility. I also shared that we have one God who is the Creator of us all. I shared that my Mosoom (grandfather), a Pipe Carrier, taught me that the main purpose of life was to learn how to love. I also shared that my mother was grate- ful to the Creator for our culture and language, and she also loved Jesus Christ. I shared that Indige- nous people across Canada suffer the same social ailments caused by hundreds of years of coloni- alism and that we need to work together to maintain the strength, courage and hope needed to bring about better life conditions today and for future generations. We need to encourage one another.
One woman commented, “Thank you for your words; you challenged us. And that’s good.”
Before the public presentations, there was a smudge prayer and brief addresses by church and In- digenous leaders. I shared how the burying of Indigenous women in a landfill reminded me of my revul- sion when I learned during semi- nary studies that Reformer Ulrich Zwingli’s body had been burnt when the Roman Catholic authori- ties killed him. They threw the en- trails of some pigs that had been slaughteredthepreviousnightinto the fire, and then they turned over the embers so that the animals’ of- fal was mixed with Zwingli’s ash-
es. This was the ultimate disregard for a human brother. Even though a few wanted to do right, contempt and injustice prevailed.
This same contempt and in- justice rule the hearts of those who murder Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. And to bury their bodies in a landfill is a repulsive act similar to those who quartered and burned Zwingli’s body. And those who refuse to search the landfill for their bodies, even though they have the power, share in this injustice and shame. But hate and injustice do not have to prevail.
The visual display of red dress- es throughout the City of Win- nipeg speaks to the stark reality of missing and murdered Indig- enous women and girls, and the pain, hope and commitment of Indigenous people in this city to stop violence against Indigenous women. The camps amplify this commitment—they say, “No more.” The Camp Morgan (named for Morgan Harris) team, who had been blockading the entrance to the Brady Road landfill, set up a new camp beside the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, fol- lowing an injunction to clear the road into the landfill. The new camp, named Camp Marcedes, honours Marcedes Myran, one of the two women whose remains
are believed to be in the privately owned landfill nor th of Winnipeg.
Those at the landfill need ongo- ing help, support and prayer. They need groceries, blankets, water and firewood to keep them warm during winter months. They ap- preciated the gifts from the PCC: a warm blanket, sweetgrass, sage, cedar and tobacco, which they use for prayer ceremonies. Monetary gifts are also very much appreciated.
Please pray for the dedicated Indigenous adults and youth at the landfills, who give sacrificially of their time and resources for the dignity of these Indigenous women. Their work goes beyond retrieval of their remains from the landfill. It also speaks to the dignity and honour of women as life-givers and matriarchs in tradi- tional Indigenous societies. Their work could lead to the honouring of all women.
Perhaps it is the Providence of the Holy Spirit that four women, two of whom are Indigenous, were chosen as leaders at this time in four denominations in Canada and be present for this event. Perhaps there is continu- ing work the four denominations might do together to focus on the important work of justice for women. Jesus loved the woman at the well regardless of her so- cial standing. He loved and hon- oured his mother and his friend Mary Madelaine. And when a woman was accused of adultery and about to be stoned, Jesus wrote in the sand and said, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Jesus himself was born of woman. As the church, this is an opportunity to reconsider the place of all women, according to Scriptures.
Perhaps the presence of women representing four denominations will inspire other churches to join in the conversation. Indigenous Elders may be among the voices, sharing their spiritual worldview of women as the chosen sacred channels of human life on earth. May the Spirit guide the way.
presbyterian.ca
Participants of the Huu’ay-aht First Nation Coming of Age ceremony on Van- couver Island.
Presbyterian Archives
Attention all historians and researchers!
The Archives staff are excited to announce that
The Presbyterian Record magazine (1876-1962)
is now available online through the Internet Archive.
“Flip” through the history of The Presbyterian Church in Canada from the comfort of your own home. 1963-2016 issues coming soon.
To access the Record, visit:
presbyterianarchives.ca/record