National Indigenous Peoples Day

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National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21 is a time for all Canadians to celebrate more than the arrival of the Summer Solstice – National Indigenous Peoples Day should be a moment when Christians take time to stop and reflect on our past history. More importantly, how will we live into a future of increased respect and justice for Indigenous peoples of this land?

There are many ways for responsible celebration and commemoration of this day…

For example, on June 20th, Vicar Provincial Richard Beaudette, OMI, Rob Meilleur, Chief Administrative Officer, and I were invited by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) to join national Christian leaders on Parliament Hill for the National Residential Schools Monument Site Selection Ceremony. Readers may recall that among the 94 Calls to Action of 2015’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Final Report, number 82 stated: “We call upon provincial and territorial governments, in collaboration with Survivors and their organizations, and other parties to the Settlement Agreement, to commission and install a publicly accessible, highly visible, Residential Schools Monument in each capital city to honour Survivors and all the children who were lost to their families and communities.” Eight years later, the federal government has negotiated a suitable space with the NCTR on Parliament Hill for such a monument to be erected. There are almost 20 monuments already on Parliament Hill, but what was memorable about this decision was that, for the first time, the site was agreed to by the Algonquin Nation, upon whose unceded and unsurrendered land Canada’s seat of government is located.

This event was attended by the Prime Minister, several Ministers, and national Indigenous leaders. The Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, gave important remarks that were covered on national news that day. But perhaps the most important dignitaries present were Métis, First Nations and Inuit survivors of residential and day schools – this day was really designed to celebrate them, as well as the children who never made it home.

I appreciated reading suggestions to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples’ Day that were listed by The Most Rev. Chris Harper, National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop. His suggestions included:

  • Celebrate with the Indigenous people in and around your communities
  • Share in Indigenous events to learn more about the gifts within their distinct cultures
  • Read Indigenous authors – fiction and non-fiction – who, through their stories and wisdom, help us all see our history in its fullness.
  • Deepen your knowledge of Indigenous histories and heritage
  • Acknowledge the pain caused by the actions of recent predecessors in governance and in faith, through the residential and day schools, unmarked burial sites and generations of racism – and repent for our part in that pain today

June 21, 2023 also marked the deadline for the federal government to release its Action Plan for bringing Canadian legislation in line with the United Nations Declaration on Indigenous Peoples. Call to Action #48 of the TRC counselled all faith groups in Canada to formally adopt and comply with the principles, norms, and standards of the Declaration as a framework for reconciliation. This year a joint statement of faith communities, including the Centre Oblat and Notre-Dame du Cap province of the Oblates, stated that “Faith communities worked relentlessly in past years to support the passage of Bill C-15, The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Our commitment to truth, justice and reconciliation did not end with the passing of this legislation. As part of our desire for truth and reconciliation, faith communities will continue to walk with Indigenous Peoples to encourage the full implementation of the Declaration and the bona fide honouring and implementation of Indigenous rights in the National Action Plan and beyond. The urgent climbing to justice and reconciliation pointed out by the TRC has only just begun.”

By Joe Gunn – Executive Director of Le Centre Oblat: A Voice for Justice