Decolonizing our Churches, Reweaving our Lives Conference: June 20-22, 2023: A Brief Review

We began with an Opening Worship—which included a Smudge, led by an Indigenous Elder, Harry Lafond, and Tipi Teachings, with Elders and Knowledge Keepers. They spoke about the spiritual significance of the tipi poles. The 3 main poles symbolize respect, obedience, and humility. The tipi is regarded as a sacred space, in which Indigenous faith and cultural traditions are inculcated, kept alive, and passed on from one generation to another. 

The Worship times at our conference included Indigenous, Latin American, and Lebanese/Palestinian songs. 

We had four panelists that spoke on the theme of: “Dreaming our Shared Future.” The panelists were: Dr. Michel Andraos, Dean, Faculty of Theology, St. Paul University, Ottawa; Dr. Christine Jamieson, Associate Professor, Theological Studies, Concordia University, Montréal, having some Indigenous background, and originally from British Columbia, Dr. Néstor Medina, Associate Professor of Religious Ethics and Culture, Emmanuel College, Toronto School of Theology; and Rev. Dr. Ali Tote, Assistant to the Bishop, Saskatchewan Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada.

After the panel session, I attended a workshop led by Dr. Elaine Enns, author of Healing Haunted Histories, which she co-wrote with her husband, Ched Myers. Elaine’s presentation was mostly one of highlighting some of the contents of this book. 

Her four Mennonite grandparents were displaced from Russia-Ukraine. Meeting a Cree girl led her into working for restorative justice. She asked the question about her own Saskatchewan Mennonite community, wondering how were they complicit, knowingly or unknowingly, in the dispossession and displacement of Indigenous neighbours?

The land, individuals and communities are haunted by past and continuing violence in relation to the displacement and genocide of Indigenous people.

Enns and Myers employ a process they call Landlines, Bloodlines and Songlines to help settlers find their way forward for the sake of land, societies, faith and communities. 

In the evening of Day 1, we enjoyed the story-telling of Saskatoon Métis, Cort Dogniez. He is a recently retired educator serving 41 years as a teacher, administrator, consultant and coordinator. Cort enjoys sharing stories he learned from his kohkom (grandmother) as well as stories about Métis history and perspectives. Cort’s first book, Road to La Prairie Ronde was published by Gabriel Dumont Institute in 2020 and was nominated for two awards with the Saskatchewan Book Awards. 

One story he told was a tragic love story about two Indigenous braves from different tribes who fell in love with the same woman. The dad and chief of the woman told both braves that they had to prove themselves worthy of marrying his daughter. After the dad, promised the hand of his daughter to one of the braves, the other later found out and took his revenge on both the brave and the woman. They were both killed, dying together. 

On Day 2 of the conference—which was June 21, we celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day. We viewed and reflected on two films. The first one was “Reserve 107: Reconciliation on the Prairies,” which tells the story of solidarity between the Young Chippewayan First Nation, Mennonite and Lutheran communities near Laird, Saskatchewan. It is a powerful transformation story, which led to a working covenant between this Indigenous Nation and the Mennonites and Lutherans. 

The second film was “Eighth Fire,” a short documentary featuring the integration of Indigenous art and imagery at Roncevalles United Church in Old Toronto. 

We also learned about the 7 Sacred Teachings: Wisdom-Beaver, Love-Eagle, Respect-Buffalo, Bravery-Bear, Honesty-Raven, Humility-Wolf, and Truth-Turtle. These 7 Sacred Teachings then connect the human reality with the non-human world, and the value and desired unity/harmony of all creation, in communion with the Creator.

There were other, non-conference events at different venues that conference leaders encouraged us to attend. Unfortunately, Julianna and yours truly were unable to attend these events, which was disappointing.

Day 3 began with worship, followed by small discussion circles. Dr. Jamieson was in our circle. She said that she appreciated how the conference worship times have included Indigenous rituals and music. Others in the circle expressed their frustrations with parishioners who are against, in denial of, and even hostile towards decolonization and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Sylvia, a Sion Order Roman Catholic nun shared how inspired she was by the water walk event venue the previous day. 

After the discussion circles, Dr. Andraos, Dr. Jamieson, Dr. Medina, and Rev. Dr. Tote engaged in a panel conversation. I especially appreciated Dr. Medina’s insights about global decolonization. He provided three examples. First, the poor land workers in Brazil, who desire to improve their quality of life. Second, a popular Nigerian author has chosen to write his books in his own native language rather than in English. Third, the importance of the Word and words—choosing words wisely, being aware of meanings, and interpreting the Word and words in life-giving ways.

In the afternoon, we attended a workshop led by Métis story-teller and drama professor, Bruce Sinclair. He taught us some Cree words and their meanings. 

Following that, we gathered for a closing panel conversation with Dr. Andraos, Dr. Jamieson, and Dr. Medina. Panelists spoke about their experiences of working on decolonizing—although they struggled with the concept, and pointed out shortcomings of the word and its various meanings. They spoke from their various academic perspectives—and, in the case of Dr. Medina and Dr. Andraos, their countries of origin. Dr. Medina is an immigrant from Guatemala, Dr. Andraos is an immigrant from Lebanon. 

The conference then ended with a closing worship time. 

I appreciated listening to Indigenous perspectives on Western Canadian-First Nations’ history told by Indigenous people.All-in-all, I think it was a worthwhile conference, which I hope, shall continue to help improve relations between Indigenous and settler peoples, and draw us closer together to live more in harmony with one another and creation, serving God’s purposes.