Today marks the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 1. This is not only significant for our friends in Manitoba but for all Canadians as this was the first of the eleven numbered treaties that were signed after confederation and are an important part of our history. As Christians are reflecting on what it means to be in good relation with each other, it is useful to contrast the treaty-making process with the implementation of the Indian Act. This webinar by Jean Friesen on behalf of Canada's History and the Treaty Relation Commission of Manitoba is one of the assigned [...]

Forging a Path: Talk 2, Part II   This is part 2 of our second talk in our series of discussions on Indigenous reconciliation and the church. In this section, Jimmy and Andrew Thunder lead us in a deeper dive into the '94 Calls to Action' looking specifically at some of the calls directed to the Christian church.  As believers, we need to understand the doctrines that have been used under the banner of faith to reinforce acts of legislation that lead to the oppression of Indigenous peoples. This will help us to be aware of the barriers that exist [...]

Forging a Path: Talk 2 Following the horrific discoveries of Indigenous children's remains found in unmarked graves around the country's residential schools, here is the next installment in a series of discussions featuring two Horizon alumni: brothers, Andrew and Jimmy Thunder. Andrew and Jimmy are Oji-Cree from Sachigo Lake Ontario. Both live in Winnipeg, working to bring reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. This interview highlights the importance of being aware as Canadians (and as Christians) of what the '94 Calls' are all about. Next Video You can find more information and the rest [...]

Forging a Path: Talk 1 Like many Canadians, when I first heard the news that the bodies of 215 children were discovered buried under a residential school in Kamloops, my reaction was one of horror at what is simply a dehumanizing act. As a Christian, my follow-up reaction focused on the fact that this was a church-run school. I reacted with horror that, again, a Christian organization is implicated in behaving so "un-christianly." My reaction moved to shame, then to distancing and blame (this isn't my church), to worry over witness to the gospel, and finally, back to horror over [...]