Truth and Reconciliation

 Reconciliation: It matters to me because we need to learn from each other

The Anglican Diocese of New Westminster is preparing for our participation in the Truth and Reconciliation on Indian Residential Schools (National Event, Sept 17-22 Vancouver). While the adults heard from a former student and survivor of St. George's residential school, (initiated by our diocese) youth and children read Nicola Campbell’s book Shin-Chi’s Canoe about an Interior Salish boy and girl who are taken away from their home and family to a church-run residential school.


In response, the youth made a poster that said:

Reconciliation it matters to me

• Because we need to keep the relationship
• To bring people closer together
• To bring comfort
• Because we need to learn from each other.

The children decorated tiles that will be given as gifts to those who participate in the canoe journey, the march and who are witnesses to the work of reconciliation. They children drew owls, hearts, salmon, flowers,trees, smiling faces, suns and they wrote messages:

• Faith
• Forgive
• Proud
• Kind
• Peace
• Faith and Love
• Live life happily
• Comfort
• Strength
• Believe
• Watch like an owl
• Hope
• Together

Deanery Curate Laurel Dykstra and members of the Indian Residential School Survivors Society will be at morning worship and coffee hour at St. Clement's on April 28, St. Catherine's May 5, St. Agnes May 19 and St. Martin's June 2.