Dear United Church people across the Regional Council,
Some of us are sharply reminded that we live in racial, cultural and religious privilege when news breaks that stops us in our tracks, and calls us to cry out as General Secretary Rev Michael Blair posted this to his social media this morning, "As the reality of the news from BC and the 215 bodies of children found at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School, I can't help but cry out - Senzeni na? 'What have we done?'."
But that's just some of us. For many, this news confirming the unjust, undocumented deaths of Indigenous Children is what generations of Indigenous Relations have known and endured.
Reconciliation Canada invites all to their immediate, responsive engagement:
"...This devastating discovery resulted in a wave of grief and trauma that has swept through our nations. We stand with the Secwépemc people, Indian Residential School Survivors, their families and their communities as they process this tragic loss. We call on all of you to join Reconciliation Canada as we host an online gathering designed to create understanding of the impacts of this discovery and support the long-term healing of those affected."
At the time of writing, there are 3 sessions to join, and the video of the first session, Reconciliation Canada's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ReconciliationCanada
If you would like to donate to Reconciliation Canada and Indian Residential School Survivors Society, please do so here:
For mental health resources, please visit reconciliationcanada.ca/honouring215children/
Rev Murray Pruden, National Executive Minister for Indigenous Ministries & Justice in The United Church of Canada, offers prayer in his letter below:
Support Prayer for Loss in Kamloops
You may share all of these resources and words.
Blessings,
Treena Duncan
Executive Minister of Pacific Mountain Regional Council
The beaded Orange Shirt Day pin was made by Bethany L. Stewart @onebeadcloser