What is Development and Peace doing about the residential school issue?
Dear friends,
News about the children from Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation found at the Kamloops Indian Residential School is heartbreaking. As people of action with a heart for the vulnerable, as Catholics and as Canadians, we want to heal wounds and be part of the reconciliation process. Let us embrace this chance to renew our focus on right relations with indigenous people closest to us.
What is Development and Peace doing?
Our approach is to work as part of large networks and in small communities to create change. At the pan-Canadian level we are an integral part of KAIROS, providing funding and serving on the Steering Committee with the other churches and with indigenous peoples. We are a founding and active member of the Our Lady of Guadeloupe Circle, a Catholic coalition of Indigenous people, bishops, clergy, lay movements and institutes of consecrated life, engaged in renewing and fostering relationships between the Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Canada. You, on the ground, are part of many networks and communities, from the provincial to the diocese to the parish level, and are already participating in grassroots activities, such as joining vigils to honour and remember the missing children.
What can members do?
Subsidiarity means we work alongside others and we work at the local level first. Diocesan Councils and members are encouraged to make use of the D&P network to connect with other Catholics and Canadians who want to honour the missing children and continue the healing journey. We have heard about DCs planning prayer chains, listening circles, and educational opportunities to learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the 94 Calls to Action and the impact of residential schools on indigenous peoples. Let’s share the news on social media and help amplify the message. Let us talk about the TRC Calls to Action and which of the 94 speak to us personally and communally. D&P can also bring your ideas to the Circle and we can, together, continue on the path to reconciliation through listening, learning, advocating and building relationships wherever we are.
A few helpful resources:
Catholic Response to TRC and Catholic commitments
Excellent interview with Bishop Don Bolen
Beautiful and touching work done by Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle on Indigenous Languages
Ecumenical Prayer for reconciliation
Genevieve Gallant
Director Communications, Campaigns and Fundraising | Directrice communications, campagnes et collecte de fonds
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE | DÉVELOPPEMENT ET PAIX – CARITAS CANADA
613-738-9644 | 514-257-8711 ext 232 | ggallant@devp.org | devp.org
