Today is the first-ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Earlier this week, Mennonite Church Canada released a statement reminding the nationwide church about Mennonite involvement in Indian Residential Schools. The statement asks people of faith to take steps toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

“The idea was to put this video out and ask: What does it mean to ask for forgiveness?” Michael Bannerman, singer-guitarist for Stratford, Ont. rockers Upside of Maybe, talks about the video for the band’s song, “Rainmaker,” which deals with the wrongs that white settlers perpetrated against Indigenous peoples.

“History is never straightforward; we learn while we unlearn.” Laura Enns, live-in host of Brubacher House Museum in Waterloo, reflects on the question: How can Mennonite historical sites become sites of decolonization and reconciliation? 

Winnipegger Kim Thiessen talks about reading and researching the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. “As a settler, I know very little. But I am trying,” Thiessen says. “I have a burning desire to set things right and do what I can.”  

Saskatchewan correspondent Donna Schulz tells the story of Tree Bird, an Indigenous woman raised by Mennonites. “What we, as Indigenous people, are asking of the church is that you educate yourselves,” Bird says. “Let the universe guide you to a place where you can be of service. You will meet wounded yet resilient and amazingly strong Indigenous people.”

“There is no other way to say it: we have a hand in this story.” The existence of mass graves at former Indian residential schools has been confirmed. How might people of faith respond? Randy Klassen, Indigenous Neighbours coordinator at Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan, outlines some ideas in this blog post from June.