Today, Sept. 30th marks the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.
As recommended in a very informative communication I received this morning from Amnesty International Canada (below), I have registered for a virtual tour of the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School, courtesy of the Woodland Cultural Centre. It is a powerful walk-through and retelling of the longest-running residential school in Canada’s history. Register here https://woodlandculturalcentre.ca/october-27th-virtual-tour-of-the-former-mohawk-institute-residential-school/
This day calls for all of us to be compassionate. Compassion is being sensitive to the suffering of self and others with a deep commitment to try to prevent or relieve it. We are called to be aware, embrace dispositions and attitudes of nonjudgment, nonviolence, forgiveness and mindfulness and take action. I appreciate Joyce Rupp’s description of compassion as the photosynthesis of the heart – requiring the slow, trusting process of change. We are called to give ourselves to this process of truth and reconciliation as individuals and as a country and to continually recommit to this transformation – not just today, but every day.
Dear Adrienne ,
Thank you for that encouragement to all who are reading this post. , I appreciate that within your faith tradition , you are making a difference by calling many to both “ truth “ and “reconciliation” . These are two aspects that your faith tradition values deeply . May you have an impact in all you do in this arena ! Blessings
Amen to that!
Thank you Dr Castellon for sharing this very relevant piece and the need for compassion. “Sensitivity to the suffering of self and or others with a deep commitment to relieve or prevent it”. This is so true and this is what Jesus does and expects us His followers to do also.
May we all take this moment to show compassion which is followed by a deep commitment to do our part in righting the wrongs of the past and thereby setting a new legacy of true agape love.
Adrienne,
The world needs compassion. Thanks for sharing on this special day.
Marcelle
Good Day Dr. Andrienne:
Currently, as you may recall, I am teaching high school English and Social Studies in a northern Cree community, where there is a strong Christian presence and acceptance. Certainly, I attempted to emphasize the Sept. 30th ‘Truth and Reconciliation Day’ that included introducing the learners to their First Nations national chief Roseanne Archibald, making it a big deal about her gender (importance of empowering women) and that she stood up to PM Justin Trudeau, who said her made a “mistake” or an “error” in being away on holidays in Tofino, BC on that first T&R day. This also provided opportunity for me to relay what I think are 3 very powerful 3-word phrases to say when apologizing: “I am sorry! I was wrong! Please forgive me!” However, as the PM demonstrated, it takes both sides to reconcile and it involves speaking (tough) truth as well. Thankfully, recently our newly elected PM did keep his promise to visit the Kamloops reserve where he had been invited on T&R day, bless his heart. His words there sounded more circumspect and genuine, which was sorely needed to make us for his offense. We have so far still to go in Canada! Your focus and words are timely and appreciated. Keep on being relevant and being you!
God bless, Rev. DkS