Conversation About Reconciliation and Engagement
with Indigenous Peoples
Over the past couple years, Kaleden Community Church has been asking ourselves the question, what would it look like to be a part of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples? This page is dedicated to what we have come up with so far.
EDUCATe
We think the most important thing to do first as settlers, is to educate ourselves on the history and plight of the First Peoples. Our C.A.R.E. small group meets regularly to learn together and make space for much needed, but difficult, conversations.
If you are interested in being a part of this group, please email the church.
Currently we are in a book study of Wrongs to Rights: How Churches Can Engage the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
by Steve Heinrichs (Editor).
The book is free and can be ordered here.
RESOURCE
Doctrine of Discovery
Here are two extremely informative videos that are a good place to start for understanding what motivated the white settler colonization and subsequent oppression, discrimination, and genocide of First Peoples in North America
The Indian Act
Bob Joseph is a speaker and author definitely worth checking out.
Here is his eye-opening book:
21 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE INDIAN ACT
And a great interview about the book:
ENGAGE
Talk is cheap. And the only way to engage is to take a step forward. Here is where we will list the things we think are steps in the right direction. If you would like to participate in any of the steps we are taking, please email the church.
June 1st, 2021
KCC HEART GARDEN
In response to the horrific discovery and public acknowledgement of the remains of 215 children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, Kaleden Community Church has created a heart garden. Our hope is that, as a community, we can use this garden to show our love and support to all Indigenous Peoples and more specifically to the Okanagan, Syilx Nation. Here is a video that inspired this initiative.