The Anglican Diocese of New Westminster is preparing for our participation in the Truth and Reconciliation on Indian Residential Schools (National Event, Sept 17-22 Vancouver) While the adults heard from a former student and survivor of St. George's residential school, (initiated by our diocese) youth and children read Nicola Campbell’s book Shin-Chi’s Canoe about an Interior Salish boy and girl who are taken away from their home and family to a church-run residential school.
In response, the youth made a poster that said:
Reconciliation it matters to me
• Because we need to keep the relationship
• To bring people closer together
• To bring comfort
• Because we need to learn from each other.
The children decorated tiles that will be given as gifts to those who participate in the canoe journey, the march and who are witnesses to the work of reconciliation. They children drew owls, hearts, salmon, flowers,trees, smiling faces, suns and they wrote messages:
Faith
Forgive
Proud
Kind
Peace
Faith and Love
Live life happily
Comfort
Strength
Believe
Watch like an owl
Hope
Together
Deanery Curate, the Rev. Laurel Dykstra and members of the Indian Residential School Survivors Society will be at morning worship and coffee hour at St. Clement's on April 28, St. Catherine's May 5, St. Agnes May 19 and St. Martin's June 2.
Click the link to REGISTER FOR THE VANCOUVER WALK Sunday, September 22nd. The registration page is now active.