Siloam Mission hosts its first Reconciliation Gathering
In December 2022, Siloam Mission took an important step by sharing our commitment to truth and reconciliation with our community. We acknowledged that words alone would not undo the harm done to Indigenous Peoples, but with constant and consistent effort, we could take action to reconcile for the harm done. Healing and reconciliation are rooted in Christ’s call to repentance, reconciliation, and peace with everyone, so it was a commitment we saw important.
This past June, we took our commitment to truth and reconciliation a step further and put it into action.
Over two days in the beautiful space at The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, we gathered to learn, unlearn, and reflect on how to further our commitment to truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
Those who joined us for the Reconciliation Gathering heard from Indigenous leaders, residential school Survivors, and Indigenous advocates – including Wanbdi Wakita, a peacekeeper with the Canadian Armed Forces, residential school survivor, Chief of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and Sundance Chief, who shared his lifetime of praying for and over others.
We also heard from Kathy Mallett, a member of Fisher River Cree Nation and long-time Aboriginal community advocate on education, housing, violence against women, child welfare, international development, and community and economic development.
Alongside Siloam Mission leadership, we invited donors and members of the public to join us as we heard from these speakers, and many more, who graciously shared their experiences, knowledge and wisdom. Together we learned a great deal about how we can approach Reconciliation, and put it into action, in our Christian context.
The event also served as a launch for our 30 Days of Reconciliation program, a set of 30 resources and activities developed by Siloam Mission’s Indigenous Relations team to help anyone who may be interested in learning about different aspects of Reconciliation in a self-directed way.
Although this was Siloam’s first Reconciliation Gathering, it will certainly not be the last. We look forward to hosting the event again next year and continuing our journey towards reconciliACTION with Indigenous Peoples as a community.
If you’d like a copy of the 30 Days of Reconciliation toolkit, please email communications@siloam.ca.
