Three years ago last September, 70,000 Vancouverites took to the streets in the “Walk for Reconciliation,” committing to a new relationship between “settlers” and Indigenous Peoples. In October 2016, we took another step on that journey at a Nestooaak gathering called “Walking from Wrongs to Rights.”
The event took place at Grandview-Calvary Baptist Church in East Vancouver, BC, located on unceded Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh territory.
Indigenous and settler-led workshops which helped to catalyze action and understanding around the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations were central and local Indigenous leaders shared how these recommendations could be worked out on the ground. Together, Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders mapped the new geography for fostering the work of justice, healing and addressing the implications for the church in discipleship, worship and spiritual formation. As we talked about reconciliation on the part of Settlers several clear ideas emerged:
1) Feeling guilty can and does happen, but going on to take responsibility is what makes it real;
2) Each person needs to take responsibility individually, asking “What does that look like for me?”
3) Repentance is contritely turning from sin to God; a decision to take responsibility.
4) Confession is transformation;
5) In a true apology, we enter into conversation with the wounded person, or people.
6) In Restorative Justice, you’ve got to tell the truth.
Tim and Vivien Stime are part of My People which is a ministry under the umbrella of Indigenous Pathways.
Adapted with permission from Indigenews, February 2017. © 2017 Indigenous Pathways
