Niigaan Sinclair presents on Indigenous Justice at St. Joseph’s Parish

Over 200 people attended a lecture by Anishinaabe writer, editor, professor and activist Niigaan Sinclair at St. Joseph’s Church in downtown Ottawa on March 5. Entitled “The Top Five Struggles of the Reconciliation Journey for the Church and Indigenous Peoples Following the 2021 Papal Apology,” the lecture was the first of an annual series of talks in memory of the late Oblate priest Fr. Jim Bleackley, OMI. Organized to support the work of Kateri Native Ministry, over $2,700 in free-will offerings was collected to assist with the Ministry’s work, notably the healing of Indigenous peoples, reconciliation and opportunities for encounter between Indigenous and non-Indigenous. Kateri’s Executive Director Donna Naughton and Gerry Kelly, representing the Board, shared the mission, history and current work of Kateri, while members of the Ministry offered a traditional Drum Song.

Fr. Jim Bleackley OMI, the first Yukoner in history to become a Roman Catholic priest, served as Pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish from 2019 to 2022. Fr. Tim Coonen, OMI spoke in personal terms about Fr. Jim, particularly of his ministry in the Yukon and how he served as a guide and offered much encouragement in pastoral work. Fr. Jim stepped in and led the Diocese of Whitehorse on an interim basis at a particularly difficult juncture, following the sudden death of the bishop in a plane crash. He had a love of justice and strongly supported the role of women in the Church. He knew that it was important to not only listen, but to hear. “Jim discovered the life of the Indigenous and received their love. He showed kindness and humility and had a huge open heart filled with love. Jim was a wonderful friend,” Fr. Tim said.

Professor Sinclair reflected on his father, the late Senator and Chair of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Murray Sinclair. Murray Sinclair really believed in learning about each other. He saw this as the way to create a better country for all of us. He had a great hope in Canadians, in people of faith, and especially in those moments of visiting and encounter: in coffee shops, in living rooms, in churches — Professor Sinclair noted.

Niigan Sinclair at St. Joseph’s Parish on March 5, with a photo of Fr. Jim Bleackley, OMI projected.

Professor Sinclair noted that while certain Calls to Action may never be fulfilled, we are fulfilling Call to Action 61 as a church in dialogue, by hosting this event. There is reason to hope, as around 20 million Canadians are at least in some ways engaged in reconciliation. Many Canadians have an orange shirt and attend a reconciliation event at least once a year.

Reconciliation can include dealing with the justice system, the child welfare system, poverty or health care. The greatest issues of justice include land, murdered and missing Indigenous women, the earth, water and environment. Professor Sinclair noted that we don’t know what happened to thousands of children who were sent to residential schools — children died in those places through sickness, starvation, suicide, and murder, he added.  What can we do about all this as Catholics and Christians, through the lens and example of Pope Francis? This question framed Professor Sinclair’s talk.

Reconciliation involves a lot of bravery, knowledge and love. While Pope Benedict XVI expressed words of sorrow and sadness over the treatment of the Indigenous, but not an apology, Pope Francis went much further. He let TV cameras come in during a visit of Indigenous to the Vatican. The Indigenous were welcomed in their traditional dress. In an extraordinary moment, people who were harmed by an institution met with the leader of that institution, and they exchanged gifts. People committed to a process of gift-giving. This was a rare example of reconciliation in our world, Professor Sinclair noted. The Indigenous gave stoles, crosses, and children’s moccasins to Pope Francis.

“Pope Francis targeted indifference in his apology. When we don’t take action and don’t speak up, we are indifferent. Jesus calls us to commit to each other in love. We cannot let indifference be the method of the day,” Professor Sinclair said.

Perfect Books was present with a book table at the church. They sold 50 copies of Niigaan Sinclair’s most recent book Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre, and displayed a range of other relevant publications, too. A lively Q&A session followed the talk and many stayed to mingle and discuss further over coffee, tea and freshly-baked cookies provided by the St. Joe’s Supper Table.

By Christopher Adam

Published on the Ottawa Churches website