Treaty people
Today was Orange Shirt Sunday. It is the Sunday the Presbyterian Church in Canada remembers our role in residential schools in Canada; we remember and we repent.
Residential schools were part of the Canadian government’s attempt to erase the indigenous people from Canada. It is occasionally dressed up to be less offensive, but a cultural genocide is never pretty and cannot be made so.
This sermon is my attempt to come to grips with what it means to be a settler. There are times when I am unsure if I have hit the mark I was aiming for in a sermon, and this is one of those. I hope it is useful to you and perhaps makes you think about some of the parts of Canada’s history we would like to forget. We cannot forget because there can be no reconciliation without memory.
As always, let me know what you think as you are inclined and able.
If this topic is difficult or triggering to you as a residential school survivor or anyone, The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available for any former residential school students and others needing support. That help can be accessed at 1-866-925-4419.
“Treaty people” St. Mark’s Presbyterian (to download, right-click and select “Save Link As . . .”)
Blessings,
