Yvonne Zarowny, Parksville

September 20th and 21st  I had the honour of representing the Social Justice Team of Church of the Ascension Parish both as a witness at the Vancouver Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) event and as a participant in Sunday’s Walk for Reconciliation.
    From what I witnessed, the Catholic Church has come a long way from the days of denial and defensiveness. But there is a long challenging pilgrimage before us if we truly want to achieve authentic reconciliation between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples of this land. 
    A few indicators to me that evidenced progress were: Vancouver’s Archbishop Miller obviously heartfelt expression of reconciliation, as well as the tender, compassionate expression made by three nuns representing the congregations of women religious involved.

September 20th and 21st  I had the honour of representing the Social Justice Team of Church of the Ascension Parish both as a witness at the Vancouver Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) event and as a participant in Sunday’s Walk for Reconciliation.
    From what I witnessed, the Catholic Church has come a long way from the days of denial and defensiveness. But there is a long challenging pilgrimage before us if we truly want to achieve authentic reconciliation between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples of this land. 
    A few indicators to me that evidenced progress were: Vancouver’s Archbishop Miller obviously heartfelt expression of reconciliation, as well as the tender, compassionate expression made by three nuns representing the congregations of women religious involved.
    Both expressions stated their good intentions while acknowledging for many students – that was not how they were experienced; both owned what occurred were “products of their times” which impacted the teaching methods, cultural understandings, social attitudes, theology as well as how their faith was lived out; and both committed themselves to persist with this pilgrimage towards achieving reconciliation and a just society. 
    Also acknowledged was the “unspeakable abuse and mistreatment” children suffered while in these schools.
    Another indicator of progress is the many expressions from “visible minorities” not only of reconciliation but of commitments to educate their people about this dark chapter of Canadian history and Canada’s on-going broken relationship with Aboriginal peoples. To date, this topic is not covered by Immigration Canada when educating ‘new citizens’.

SUNDAY WALK

    All of this was reflected in ‘THE’ Walk on Sunday … a ‘rainbow walk’ if there ever was one!  
    In the pouring rain, for as far as the eye could see … tens of thousands of colourful umbrellas and wet, happy, people – also of all colours – determined to make a difference by working together to co-create a Canada where all have life with dignity.
    Fortunately, in our Roman Catholic tradition, as with numerous other spiritual paths, reconciliation or righting relationships is itself a sacrament. As such, it is a means of receiving God’s Grace and with it, Inspiration. We need it. And, as we are taught in Matthew, it is also a priority according to Jesus, the Nazarene.
    I truly wondered who the organizers consulted when setting up this TRC and if any traditional elders where involved. What I witnessed was so against any of the guidance I have been so privileged to receive over the years from Aboriginal elders.
    I realize this “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” was part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement negotiated by the Assembly of First Nations, the various churches and religious communities involved and Canada’s government. However, that agreement flowed in part from the 1996 Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP), which in turn came as a response to the numerous armed standoffs between Canada and various Aboriginal Nations, particularly the one at Kanesateke. 
    This RCAP and the armed standoffs were the result of generations of broken promises and treaties between first the British, then the Canadian government and various Aboriginal Nations. If we do not right this relationship, we will be back to armed conflicts between Canada and the Aboriginal Nations, particularly around resource development. 
    Also, all along this sacred journey to date, many non-Aboriginal people, including many church people, have accompanied, supported or stood in solidarity … and are standing in solidarity with the various Aboriginal peoples demanding the broken relationship be righted and Aboriginal rights be respected. 
    Granted, for the most part, these have been the minority within our churches and society. However, this minority has and does exist and deserves acknowledgement.
 Yet repeatedly, this context, history and minority tradition was negated or not acknowledged by people who ought to know better … such as Justice Sinclair and one of my heroes, Stephen Lewis.

IMPORTANT STEP

    That said, what I witnessed was an important step, a vital wound cleansing for many who have healed to the extent they can enter this “Truth and Reconciliation” process. It needs to be acknowledged and celebrated as such.
Another indicator we have a ways to go on this important sacred journey was how “unsafe” it was for particularly visibly “religious” to be present and to speak their truth. 
    It was understandable when it came from a very few Aboriginal peoples who experienced the “unspeakable abuses” or who still suffer the effects of the Canada’s attempts at cultural genocide otherwise known as “assimilation”. 
    What I found disheartening as well as curious is when an incredible anger came from people who had little or no experience of church or of the minority tradition mentioned above. For the most part this came from people who appeared to me to be “white liberal do-gooders” who don’t know their own history of colonization, know little of the history of Canada, and even less about the “reconciliation” process.
    I witnessed one such woman, obviously a professional of some sort, aggressively harangue my sister, Marie Zarowny SSA, for including in the statement from the women religious, their deep sorrow for their good intentions having such tragic consequences.
    Others, friends of mine deeply involved in various church activities to further social justice, were highly critical any member of a religious community or priest would attend wearing their traditional habit or an outward sign of their affiliation with a church such as a Roman collar. 
    To me, this was a clear case of reverse discrimination. The anger was so deep and visceral! There are a lot of non-church people out there with “church issues” that I think need exploring. 
    As I reflected and prayed on what I witnessed to write this … I repeatedly gave thanks for Gifts of Spirit and Pope Francis. I also prayed and am praying he has a long life. In his recent interview with a Jesuit magazine, Francis stated: “We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage, and the use of contraceptive methods …we have to find a new balance; otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel.”
    The human damage from not having “balance” and hence “losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel” was evident all around me on this weekend. So too … were the numerous Gifts of Spirit – smiling faces, friends greeting friends, new friends being made, healing, laughter, tears … and fresh fried bread!
    One Gift of Spirit was given to me while briefly helping in the SSA Archive area. I had the heart crushing experience of trying to help siblings find a picture of one of their brothers.  He had been sent to St. Mary’s in Mission, by himself.
    Following the government policy of the day which was intended to destroy the traditional governing and economic structures of Aboriginal communities so another mode of development could be imposed on the land and people, siblings were not only sent to different schools in different parts of Canada, the schools were often operated by different denominations. 
    This family had no picture of their brother and we didn’t find one. The heartbreak of the family was evident.  Tears flowed. Then one of the sisters touched my arm ever so gently and said: “He loved it there you know. Thank- you.”
    Reconciliation for Catholics is a sacrament. This journey is a sacrament. As hard as it is, it is so worth it. And … as promised … we are never alone.  Spirit accompanies us as we journey …
Yvonne Zarowny, co-chair of Church of the Ascension Social Justice Team, lives in Qualicum Beach, BC.