Postings on our website related to Right Relations with our Aboriginal neighbours appear below.
To the right is a Twitter feed from @KUCtalks. You are invited to follow and join in the discussions.
For background, visit the Aboriginal Relations page.
The KUC Global and Community group invite everyone to view the video “The Fallen Feather” on June 24 at 7 pm.
VIDEO INFORMATION:
Image: Bentwood Box carved by Coast Salish artist Luke Marston:
Image credit: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (www.trc.ca)
Not at KUC Events:
2. Ecumenical Worship Service at McDonald Park on June 17 from 10:30 am. For more information, please click on the following link: service
3. The Peace Walk called “Rock the Walk” will be held from noon to 8 pm on Saturday, June 23rd (12:30 Peace Walk). It will be held at a new venue, Riverside Park.
Plans are for this to be a bigger event this year.
Photo Attribution: From the Council of Canadians Website: 2011 Walk
Shay Paul and Kamloops United Church
present “Artists for Reconciliation”
Saturday, May 19, 2018: 11 am to 4 pm
What is it? It is an interactive art showcase displaying all types of media and art forms regarding Reconciliation and the resurgence of Aboriginal Art.
Where? Kamloops United Church
Free Admission; Donations Welcome
***Open for Set-up at 10 am
Poster: RECONCILIATION THROUGH ART (4)
Image of Shay Paul: Derm Strong
TRU’s Indigenous Health Nursing Committee and the School of Nursing Coyote Brings Food Research Project present a dialogue with Dr. Jacqueline Romanow. The title of her talk is The Role of the University in Truth and Reconciliation.
Refreshments will be provided.
Date: 9 April 2018 at 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Venue: Brown Family House of Learning, TRU (Thompson Rivers University)
Room: HOL 190
About Romanow:
Romanow is Métis and an associate professor and chair of the Department of Indigenous Studies at the University of Winnipeg.
She teaches courses in Indigenous rights, Indigenous politics, natural resources and economic development and was involved at UWinnipeg in the creation of an Indigenous Course Requirement (ICR) in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action.
UWinnipeg is one of the first universities in Canada to create and endorse a process for all incoming undergraduate students to learn about Indigenous peoples and be exposed to Indigenous perspectives and world views.
Visit TRU’s website about this event: http://inside.tru.ca/events/event/whats-the-universitys-role-in-truth-and-reconciliation/
We have only a few photos but The Theatre for Living production “Home” was so important, including the feast beforehand, that we wanted to keep the memories alive because of the depth and poignancy of the play. It was an interactive play. First it ran through presenting a variety of indigenous-colonizer scenarios, and then the play repeated with volunteers from the audience standing in for characters in the scenarios. If something in each story had unfolded differently a different legacy might have been possible. What does reconciliation mean to YOU? From the program notes: “True and honourable Reconciliation cannot be an invitation for Indigenous communities to assimilate more deeply. It must and can only be a willingness from the rest of us to embark on a transformational process that makes this land a place where everyone not only has truly equal health, education and opportunity, but where Indigenous knowledge is valued in every realm. David Diamond Artistic/Managing Director Theatre for living.”
Photo credit: Derm Strong
Community Meeting on Poverty in BC.
When: Wed., March 14th, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: White Buffalo Aboriginal and Metis Health Society, 517A Tranquille Rd.
On a chilly–but not too chilly–night this week at Spirit Square eight KUCers joined the walk for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and LGBTQS2. As you can see in the photos there were lots of people supporting the walk. There were several speakers, a brisk walk along Tranquille Road led by a drumming group, posters and signs, and hot chocolate!
This event was both somber and celebrative. It was good to be there together.
Images: mstrong
Pastoral Letter for Ash Wednesday 2018
Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,
As we enter into the season of Lent, traditionally a season of introspection and penitence, we are aware of the attention of our nation on the acquittal of Gerald Stanley in the shooting death of Colton Boushie.
We would like to invite the United Church in BC, its members and its congregations, to be prayerful during this season about the ways in which racism is internalized in us, and in our institutions (including the church) in Canada. We repent of misuse of power. We repent of the outflow of colonialism and the harm it has done to our relationships. The journey of reconciliation takes more than just a few years, and it certainly takes more than words… though words do have power to heal or hurt.
As many of us mark our foreheads with ashes today, let us remember we are unified in our humanity… we are dust, and to dust we shall return. Let us truly repent of those choices we have made that lack courage, and as we follow Jesus during the wilderness season of Lent, let us ask for his grace and humility in our relationships with one another. We can learn from one another’s wisdom. We can reject violence in all its forms, and commit again to the just, loving and peaceful way of Jesus’ life on this earth.
Together, let us renounce racism and violence, in our actions and in our lives, as we continue to follow Jesus and his vision of the reign of God. Let us recommit to humble listening for the Spirit of God to guide us in our paths, and to respectful relationships with one another despite differences. We are one in Christ, and let us cling to that unity in this time of struggle for justice in our nation.
Grace and peace,
Ray Jones, Co-chair of the Native Ministries Council of BC Conference,
and Cari Copeman-Haynes, President of BC Conference
Image from BC Conference of the United Church of Canada
What better day than Valentines, when we celebrate love, to join in solidarity!
Wed., Feb 14th, 5:00 pm, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s March starts in Spirit Square. Drummers and singers taking part, continues to 9 pm. Come walk in solidarity or stay for the whole evening.
(From: INFOnews.ca) KAMLOOPS – There will be a march in Kamloops to honour the Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing or been murdered in over the past 20 years.
Image Credit: BC Native Women’s Association
The march will take place at Spirit Square, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Tk’emlupsemc te Secwepemc Nation within Secwepemcul’ecw on Feb. 14 at 5:30 p.m, according to a media release.
It is being organized by social work students from Thompson Rivers University as well as members if the LGBTQ2S community and those who have had friends or family affected by systemic violence in Canada, the release states.
The goal of the event is to allow the community to have a space for grieving and healing, as well to raise awareness surrounding the issue of violence against women and transgendered Indigenous people.
Memorial walks will be taking place across Canada on or around Feb. 14.
