Steps on the path
On April 1, 2022, the world witnessed a remarkable event. On that day Pope Francis addressed a group of Indigenous people with the words, “I am very sorry.” Representatives of the Inuit, Metis and First Nations communities had come from Canada to Rome, meeting in smaller groups with representatives of the Vatican and sharing stories…
‘This is my learning, my journey’
Like many Canadians, Winnipegger Kim Thiessen was devastated when she learned about the 215 unmarked graves of children at the Kamloops, B.C., residential school earlier this year. “I didn’t know what to do with the sadness, despair and rage I felt,” says the 57-year-old mother and grandmother. After giving it some thought, she decided to…
Lamenting the loss of young Indigenous lives
Following the discovery of the remains of 215 children on the grounds of the former Kamloops (B.C.) Indian Residential School by the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) laments the loss of these young lives. We acknowledge the deep grief this announcement causes all Indigenous peoples, especially survivors and intergenerational survivors of…
Ally or accomplice: What does the Lord require of us?
There is a popular language arising in the church when it comes to justice work, that of “being an ally.” It means to align yourself with whoever your “other” is, so to love your neighbour and serve the Lord. But what happens when words are not enough, and when having only words of an ally…
