Christians, Indigenous leaders to talk reconciliation at two-day event

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A two-day gathering is set to bring Christians and Indigenous community leaders together to discuss reconciliation and the path to “move forward together.”

The Truth and Reconciliation Gathering, sponsored by Siloam Mission, will take place May 30-31 at Assiniboine Park’s the Leaf.

“Healing and reconciliation are rooted in Christ’s call to repentance, reconciliation, and peace with everyone,” said Siloam CEO Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud of the free event.

The event is a chance for non-Indigenous Christians to hear from Indigenous leaders about what they want and need from churches today.

Some of the topics at the event include: “The healing process and what it takes to forgive,” “Making a commitment to reconciliation,” “What the Anishinaabe teachings around creation tell us about God’s view for reconciliation;” “Understanding the treaties and its framework for reconciliation,” “The Ojibway seven sacred Laws and Christianity;” and “What would Jesus do in response to the 231 calls for justice from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry?”

For Blaikie Whitecloud, Canadian Christians have a special responsibility to work on this reconciliation agenda due to the tragic history of colonialism and residential schools in this country. This includes acknowledging the harms that were inflicted on Indigenous people over the past centuries and working to dismantle systems that have contributed to homelessness and other social ills in the Indigenous community.

Blaikie Whitecloud acknowledged some Christians may be concerned that work towards reconciliation might “somehow diminish the Christian message,” or “take the focus off Christ.”

She doesn’t believe that to be the case. “This is a way to strengthen our Christian faith, to help us better live into our faith,” she said, adding “Jesus was such a beautiful role model for us, going out of his way to be loving, accepting, supportive of people, and also to challenge the systems that harm and oppress people.”

The goal of the gathering, she said, is for churches and individuals to come out of the event with a stronger faith and action plans for moving forward, and to “understand Christ’s call to reconciliation and love for neighbours in this context.”

The gathering is the second event of its kind, growing out of Siloam’s own journey of becoming a stronger advocate for reconciliation after the organization was accused in 2020 of neglecting to support Indigenous cultural and spiritual practices.

In response, Siloam developed a five-year strategic plan in consultation with an Indigenous advisory council to incorporate truth and reconciliation into the organization’s values and practices.

“Our story is worth sharing,” Blaikie Whitecloud said of how Siloam adapted and changed to serve Indigenous people better.

Those who are interested in attending the gathering, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., can sign up for one or both days. To register, go to siloam.ca.

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