National Day of Truth and Reconciliaton
Regional Staff wearing our orange to show Every Child Matters, and to remember the children who never made it home from Residential School.
Proof of Vaccination Requirements
Thank you to local community of faith leaders. When they accepted these roles, few expected to be coping with a global pandemic. The regional council offers advice but the decisions are made in the community of faith. All congregations are encouraged to applaud and support the efforts of leaders who have been navigating changing regulations, consulting with their local health unit and instituting protocols to keep the church available to others and to ensure the safety of all who access it.
Worship
The legislation that came into effect on September 22nd continues to exempt worship from proof of vaccination requirements.
Events Other than Worship
On September 21st, we received a legal update on this topic.
Essential services, such as a food bank, that continued even when the rest of the province closed, do not require proof of vaccination.
The law uses the term “patrons” when referring to people who are required to show proof of vaccination and specifically exempts “Workers, contractors, repair workers, delivery workers, students, volunteers, inspectors or others who are entering the business or organization for work purposes and not as patrons”. The advice received suggests the term workers could include volunteers, such as the members of the congregation helping at the food bank. If governing bodies intend to use this broader definition for “workers” over one referring exclusively to paid employees, they are encouraged to define who is considered a “worker” and who is a “patron.” That said, legal advice recommends erring on the side of caution and requiring proof of vaccination, especially to attend any event that is being led by paid staff.
Tenants and Rentals
Tenants covered by a lease are themselves responsible for complying with the legislation. The governing body may want to confirm with the tenant how they are complying with the legislation since as landlords they may have some liability risk.
One-off rentals may be the responsibility of the church. Churches should stipulate in any one-off rental contracts that the renter is responsible for complying with all COVID-restrictions then in place, including verifying vaccinations, as required.
Proof of Vaccination for Church Employees
The legal advice received is quoted directly on this topic.
From a regulatory perspective, O. Reg 364/20 that requires that “The person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall operate the business or organization in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials operate in the compliance with the advice / recommendations of the health units.” And some of those units have recommended that employers implement a mandatory vaccination policy. For example, Toronto Public Health announced August 20, 2021 that it now “strongly recommends” that employers implement mandatory vaccinations in their workplace: https://www.toronto.ca/news/toronto-medical-officer-of-health-strongly-recommending-toronto-employers-institute-covid-19-vaccination-policy-and-support-workplace-vaccination/
Please check with your local public health unit.
The Office of Vocation is addressing proof of vaccination and ministry personnel. Ministry personnel who are not able to provide proof of vaccination will find themselves hampered in fulfilling certain of their duties in person (long-term care and hospital visits) and will need to determine how to handle other elements such as home visits safely. They are encouraged to meet with their Ministry and Personnel Committee to discuss their plan to fulfill the requirements of their position description. Acting Personnel Minister, Micol Cottrell remains available to work with ministry personnel and Ministry and Personnel Committees until his time with the regional councils concludes October 31st. Diane Blanchard returns November1st and, after having an opportunity to catch up on the changes during her sabbatical, will be pleased to do likewise.
Local Public Health Unit
Many communities of faith have written updating the regional council on their public health unit’s advice. Please remember that the geography of the regional councils covers multiple health units and varying rates of transmission. Advice must always be contextual. Our goal is to provide communities of faith with guidance for their decision-making based on the provincial requirements. When making decisions, governing bodies are reminded to check with the local health unit for additional input.
Thank you again to the dedicated leaders trying to answer the gospel’s call for inclusion as they protect the well-being of all. Your hard work is deeply appreciated.
Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa
Executive Minister,
Antler River Watershed Regional Council
Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council
Horseshoe Falls Regional Council
Living into Right Relations along the Grand River
Living into Right Relations (LIRR)
This monthly bulletin offers a listing of events, actions and resources for people interested in right relations and supporting Indigenous initiatives.
It is curated by Nancy Dykstra, a first generation Canadian of Dutch descent and a member of Parkminster United Church in Waterloo. Nancy was inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Report of 2015 to become active in working toward right relations.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Thursday, September 30
Establishing this statutory holiday was Call to Action # 80 of the TRC:
We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
It is up to us to figure out how we can honour the intent of the Call to Action. There have been many ideas put forward since the September email was sent so I felt it was worth putting this together to help us create a meaningful commemoration. I encourage each of us to commit to some-thing. Here are some ideas and events you might consider:
- Read or re-read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and find one that speaks to a passion, desire or curiosity of yours. Commit to helping to make this happen.
- Find out more about Orange Shirt Day, and Phyllis Jack Webstad:
- CBC interview, follow this link
- Phyllis Jack Webstad’s work and advocacy, click here.
- to purchase a copy of the book, Phyllis’s Orange Shirt, click here
- to purchase an orange shirt from Healing of the 7 Generations, click here.
- Read and learn from a book related to Residential Schools – Debbie Siertsema has provided an extensive list – attached. If you’d like to read with a group, let us know. We can likely hook you up with others.
- Visit the Woodland Cultural Centre with a friend or two. WCC serves to preserve and promote Indigenous history, art, language and culture. “We welcome you to visit and learn with us as we bring the story of the Haudenosaunee people of the Eastern Woodlands to life through innovative exhibitions and programs.”
Consider donating to its Save the Evidence Campaign
- School visits and resources for Orange Shirt Day – Harbourfront Centre
- Litany (Mennonite) below
A short and incomplete Calendar of Events:
- Sept 27- Oct 1 The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has a week-long series of online events being offered for youth and adults alike. There is a special focus on Grades 5-12.
Description: The programming will feature short videos created by Indigenous storytellers, followed by conversations with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Survivors, and the children of Survivors of residential schools. The videos will be supported with classroom activities for students. Throughout the week we’ll share artistic and cultural performances by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists. There will also be a tribute to the Missing Children that never returned home from the residential schools.
- Sept 29, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Indigenous Children Then, Now and Tomorrow presented by United in Learning. Panelists will explore how Indigenous children and families were and continue to be impacted by colonialism. They will answer a series of questions posed by moderator Springwater Hester-Meawassige, which will touch on a range of topics including Indigenous Children in Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop, Millennial Scoop, and bringing our children home. Register here.
- Sept 29, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Shining Light on the Residential School Legacy – presented by Toronto Urban Native Ministry (TUNM) Click here for tickets ($10) which will support the Woodland Cultural Centre’s Save The Evidence Campaign and TUNM.
Description: Join us for an evening with Sandra Campbell-Kanien’kehā:ka Wahta, Wakkwā:ho for an informational discussion on the legacy of Indian Residential Schools, Indian Day Schools, Indian Hospitals, the 60’s Scoop, Millennial Scoop, Foster Care, Prisons, Jails and Mental Health Institutions.
September 30
- 10 a.m. – KW “Remember Me, Remember Us” – A Community Walk to Honour & Reflect hosted by and beginning at Healing of the 7 Generations (H7G), 300 Frederick St. Kitchener.
- Consider attending the sacred fire at H7G which is tended 24/7. Invite a friend to go with you. You can do this any day, and you can make it a regular part of your calendar.
- 7 p.m. – KW Candlelight vigil and sacred fire at Victoria Park Pavilion, hosted by O:se Kenhionhata:tie
- 10 a.m. through the day – Ottawa Remember Me: A National Day of Remembrance by the Indigenous Arts Council of Canada. Events live streamed. Register here.
- 7 p.m. Candlelight vigil – online with United Church Indigenous Ministries and Justice Executive Minister Murray Pruden on the Indigenous Ministries Facebook page.
Other events locally not specific to Sept 30:
- On now to Sept 25 All Nations Grand River Water Walk
- Sept 25, 10 am to when it’s finished. Volunteers needed to get their hands dirty! Help plant a Food Forest near New Hamburg with the Crow Shield Lodge. Contact Laura Hamilton at laura@divestwaterloo.ca
- Sept 25 Annual U Waterloo/St Pauls Powwow – online
| Books on Residential Schools | ||
| Shi-shi-eiko and Shin-Chi’s Canoe | Nicola Campbell | Ages 4-8 |
| Artic Stories | Michael Kusugak | Ages 4-8 |
| Kookum’s Red Shoe | Peter Eyvindson | Ages 4-8 |
| My Name is Seepeetza | Shirley Sterling | Ages 9-12 |
| Fatty Legs | Christy Jordon Fenton & Margaret Paklak-Fenton | Ages 9-12 |
| A stranger at Home | Christy Jordan-Fenton | Ages 9-12 |
| No Time to Say Good bye: Chirldren’s Stories of Kuper Island Residential School | Sylvia Olsen | Ages 9-12 |
| We feel Good our here=Zhik gwaa’an, nakhwatthaiitat, qwiinzii (The Land is our Storybook) | Julie-Anne Andre & Mindy Willett | Ages 9-12 |
| As Long as the Rivers Flow | Larry Lovie | Ages 9-12 |
| Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese | |
| Orange Shirt Day | Phyllis Wetstad | |
| Seven Fallen Feathers | Tanya Talaga | |
| Dear Canada, These are my words: The Residential School Diary of Violet |Pesheens | Ruby Slipperjack | |
| In Search of April Raintree | Beatrise Mosionier | |
| The Train | Jodie Callaghan | |
| I am not a Number | Jenny Kay Dupuis | |
| When we were Alone | David A. Robertson & Julie Flett | |
| The Break | Katherena Vermette | |
| Porcupines and China Dolls | Robert Arthur Alexie | |
| The Marrow Thieves | Cherie Dimoline | |
| When I was Eight | Cherie Jordan Fenton | |
| Not my Girl | Cherie Jordan Fenton | |
| Stolen words | Melanie Florence | |
| Phyllis’ Orange Shirt Day | Phyllis Webstad | |
| The Land is ours storybook | Julie-Anne Andre & Mindy Willett | |
| When we play our Drums, They Sing! | Lucy & Lola -Richard Van Camp & Monique Gray Smith | |
| Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story | David A. Robertson | |
| Five Little Indians | Michelle Good | |
| One Story, One Song | Richard Wagamese | |
| The Red Files | Lisa Bird-Wilson | |
| The Education of Augie Merasty | Joseph Auguste Merasty, & David Carpenter | |
| Speaking our Truth | Monique Gray Smith | |
| They Called me Number One | Bev Sellers | |
| I lost my Talk | Rita Joe | |
| Moon of the Crusted Snow | Waubgeshing Rice | |
| I’m Finding my talk | Rebecca Thomas | |
| Indigenous Relations: Insights, Tips & Suggestions to make Reconcilation a Reality | Bob Joseph | |
| 21 Things you may not Know about The Indian Act | Bob Joseph | |
| Embers: Meditations | Richard Wagamese | |
| Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdome | Robin Wall Kimmer | |
| Shi-shi-eiko and Shin-Chi’s Canoe | ||
| The Truth about Stories (CBC Massey Lectures) | Thomas King | |
| The Other Side of the River (From Church Pew to Sweat Lodge) | Alf Dumont | |
| Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese | |
| Broken Circle: The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools | Theodore Fontaine | |
| Norway House: Recollections, Adventures, Insights | Janet Holland |
PDF Version: Litany for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Posted with permission from author Ron Flaming.
These resources have been curated by Nancy Dykstra with many thanks.
Vaccine Passports
Several communities of faith have inquired if the vaccine passport being instituted in Ontario applies to them.
The legal advice the regional council has received to date is that communities of faith do not have grounds to request this information. Privacy legislation protects medical information and there has been no provincial action mandating such information be shared in a community of faith. In fact, worshiping communities have been specifically exempted from the vaccine passport.
There is also the ethical/faith issue of denying people access to the church. How do we make the faith available to all and protect those who gather?
Communities of faith are encouraged to:
- continue to follow provincial legislation and local public health advice when gathering in person;
- screen attendees at any in-person event and maintain their contact information;
- follow best practices when in-person: masks, maintain social distance, manage traffic flow through the building, provide sanitizer, minimize contact, follow advice re singing).
Several months ago Dr. Tam, Chief Public Health Officer, met with religious leaders asking us to encourage vaccinations. Dr. Tam outlined the research behind the vaccine and its safety and asked faith leaders to be partners in promoting vaccinations. Communities of faith are encouraged to follow these steps to manage risk.
This is our current advice. Throughout the pandemic, advice has changed based on new information. We will keep you posted if new information comes our way. As always, the decision rests with the governing body of the community of faith and these are recommendations to them.
Any governing body that feels vaccine passports should be required for worship is encouraged to write their local Member of Provincial Parliament, Minister of Health, the Honorable Christine Elliott and Premier, the Honorable Doug Ford, to advocate for an expansion of the legislation.
Right Relations Events
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Becoming Nakuset
Becoming Nakuset
The Story of a Sixties Scoop Survivor
September 8, 2021 7:00pm – 8:30pm ET / 4:00pm – 5:30pm PT
On September 8th “Becoming Nakuset” will be hosted by United in Learning in partnership with Indigenous Ministries and Justice and Shining Waters Regional Council. It is an important award-winning short documentary of one woman’s experience of the Sixties Scoop, and a story that needs to be known in the non-Indigenous church. The film will be followed by a listening circle led by Tony Snow, Chinook Winds Regional Council.
Advance registration now open and a resource list will be sent to each registrant.
https://www.united-in-learning.com/index.php/webinars/410-becoming-nakuset?utm_source=United-in-Learning&utm_campaign=3b58199be5-UiL_210830&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b151b1ffa7-3b58199be5-189208839&goal=0_b151b1ffa7-3b58199be5-189208839&mc_cid=3b58199be5&mc_eid=d1a0385131
