Living into Right Relations
The United Church and Reconciliation
Parkdale United Church participated with thousands of Canadians in the Walk for Reconciliation on May 31st, 2015, to mark the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC’s) findings on the legacy of residential schools.
In March 2016, the United Church adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, together with other Christian denominations that had run the residential school system.
Read more on the United Church of Canada’s reconciliation work.
Ottawa Right Relations Network
Parkdale’s Right Relations Group is connected to the Ottawa Right Relations Network, an ecumenical group of church and community members. The network uses a listserv to share information on opportunities for learning, volunteering and solidarity with local Indigenous people.
In particular, the network supports Centre 510, an Indigenous Homeless Drop-In, at 510 Rideau St, which is run by the Odawa Native Friendship Centre. A volunteer coordinator from the network organises help with the Centre’s meal program. Volunteers need to get a police records check and follow a short orientation, before signing up for two-hour shifts. For information on volunteering at Centre 510, contact Elise at dunmenni@hotmail.com.
Local Indigenous Organisations
Contact these organisations to find out how you might meet local Indigenous people, learn about their cultures and offer support.
Odawa Native Friendship Centre
Provides services to Ottawa’s Aboriginal community – individuals, families, children, youth, seniors, and homeless. One of Odawa’s programs is Centre 510 Drop-In, which Parkdale church supports with an annual donation
Minwaashin Lodge Aboriginal Women’s Support Centre
Provides services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and children who are survivors of domestic and other forms of violence and may also be suffering the effects of residential schools.
Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health
Offers programs and services designed to meet the needs of Ottawa’s Aboriginal community.
Tungasuvvingat Inuit Community Centre
Inuit-specific service provider offering social support and programs, cultural activities and counselling.
Canadian Organisations Working for Reconciliation
Kairos – Winds of Change Campaign
http://www.kairoscanada.org/what-we-do/indigenous-rights/windsofchange-overview
Kairos, the Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiative, brings together 11 churches and religious organisations, including the United Church of Canada. KAIROS is committed to a new relationship with Indigenous peoples in Canada and around the globe, a relationship based on mutual respect, equity and the full realization of Indigenous peoples’ rights.
Reconciliation Canada
http://reconciliationcanada.ca
Reconciliation Canada is a non-profit organisation that works to build new relationships between Aboriginal peoples and all Canadians, based on openness, dignity, understanding and hope. Viola Thomas of Reconciliation Canada spoke at a workshop at Parkdale on April 19th, 2015. Her challenge to each of us: “start by doing one thing to foster reconciliation in your families, workplace or congregation”.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission ended in 2015, its work was transferred to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba.
Truth and Reconciliation Findings
These short videos provide insight into the Truth and Reconciliation findings and what they mean.
The findings
What happened?
Commissioner Marie Wilson tells what happened in the Indian Residential School system and asks about what comes next.
What has been the purpose and role of the TRC?
Learn what makes Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation unique among those in countries around the world.
How should people feel?
Many feelings arise as people learn about this history that they were not taught in school. Commissioner Wilson encourages all Canadians to allow their feelings to lead to transformative healing and action.