Page 2 Taking Up Veterans’ Torch
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Mayor Helps Raise Funds for Community Ministries
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Indigenous Culture Key at Princeton Residence
Stitching Scriptures and Faiths Together
November 2019
Calling for action on climate change photo: contributed
BY LEIGH ANNE WILLIAMS
On Sept. 27, Anglicans were among the thousands of people marching through the streets of downtown Ottawa and Gatineau and converging at Parliament calling for action on climate change. Similar marches were held in other major cities across Canada, and globally it is estimated that 7 million people marched. The Rev. Gregor Snedden of St. Matthew’s was in the crowd. “Surely the issue of our age is climate change,” he said, adding that it was “inspiring to be with so many young people making their voices heard.” William Nuttle, a member of the diocesan environment sub-committee, commented: “I hope that congregations will take this opportunity to come together as a community and find ways to support the concerns and actions being taken by individuals towards in the fight against climate change and for finding ways to live more sustainably. The Rev. Carolyn Seabrook, Incumbent of the Parish of
Children who did not return from residential schools honoured
The Rev. Carolyn Seabrook (Incumbent of the Parish of South Carleton) with her husband Andrew Harkness and daughter Chloe Seabrook Harkness at the march.
By Leigh Anne Williams Indian Residential School survivors, family and friends gathered with dignitaries at the Museum of History in Gatineau, Que. on Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, for an emotional ceremony to remember children who did not return from the residential schools. The names of 2,800 children known to have died in the schools were printed in white on a 50-metre long red cloth solemnly carried by a procession of volunteers through the museum’s Grand Hall and up on to the stage. Its length served as a moving reminder of
the magnitude of loss and grief felt by Indigenous families and communities across Canada. And yet, the red cloth only only bore a partial list of the children who died while attending the schools. According to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), the most accurate number to date of children who did not return home is 4,200. That includes 1,600 unnamed students – those for whom a child’s death is noted in a school record but they are not identified. That work continues, Ry Moran, the director of the NCTR, assured the assembly. The children’s names were
also listed along with the schools they attended in a book published as the National Student Memorial Register: Remembering the Children Who Never Returned Home by the NCTR and the University of Manitoba. The NCTR received federal funding in 2018 to create the registry in response to the TRC’s Call to Action 72. Anishnaabe Elder Claudette Commanda welcomed those in attendance to the unceded homeland of the Algonquin Nation and prayed, asking the Creator to bless those gathered with strength and courage as they gathered to remember and to honour the children who
South Carleton marched with her family and shared her reflections on the event with Crosstalk: It was great to see so many people joining together to call for climate action and justice on Parliament Hill. From very young children being carried on their parent’s shoulders to the Raging Grannies leading us in song…we are all touched by this issue. People around the world are already suffering because of climate change, and we are losing many precious species of birds and other wildlife. One of the speakers said something that aligned with my thinking…she suggested that WE are a species at risk. I don’t think that’s too radical. I think she’s ‘right on’ given the reports by climate scientists. One of our baptismal promises is to safeguard God’s creation and protect the dignity of every human being. Climate change march p. 3
did not make it home from residential schools. She prayed for the families, communities and nations who mourn for those children. “Together Creator, we lift our love to the children. And to them, Creator, with one voice, one heart, and one prayer, take our message to the children and tell them we remember and we love them forever.” Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde spoke of the more than 4,000 “little ones” who didn’t come home. “In some cases, their parents weren’t even notified. Students remembered p. 4