Indian Residential Schools Panel: Conversations about Reconciliation
On Saturday, April 18th from 10am-12:30pm The Anglican Diocese of New Westminster in partnership with Langley Mennonite Fellowship is inviting all to participate in a conversation regarding reconciliation work as part of the ongoing follow up to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s major event held in Vancouver the third week of September, 2013. The conversation will be led by three guest speakers/panelists who have been deeply involved in the TRC process in various ways:
ADJUDICATION - Larry Plenert
Larry is a member of the Mennonite Church of British Columbia and a retired lawyer. Currently, he conducts hearings involving claims of serious abuse suffered by former students of Indian Residential Schools. He is also Arbitrator for the BC Residential Tenancy Office conducting landlord/tenant hearings.
ARCHIVES – Melanie Delva
Melanie is the Archivist for the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster and the Ecclesiastical Province of BC/Yukon. She is responsible for administering a Records Management program for the Diocesan Office and an archival program for Diocesan Synod. She is committed to encouraging and supporting the development of archival programs in parishes. Melanie is the Privacy Officer for the diocese. Her work included archive documentation of both the Anglican history of residential schools and various stories of survivors of Anglican run Indian Residential Schools.
ADVOCACY – The Reverend Laurel Dykstra
The Reverend Laurel Dykstra is a long-time community based activist and a priest of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster. As a member of the Ecumenical Advocates for Reconciliation, and as the Anglican Church Representative on the planning team for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s British Columbia National Event, September 2013, she worked to make the “Churches Listening to Survivors Area” a place of true respectful listening, local protocol and an important component of the TRC’s statement gathering process. With the Interfaith Institute she has secured funding for Hidden Legacies—a film about the children and grandchildren of Residential School Survivors. Laurel is a speaker and writer on issues of faith and justice
Time: 10am-12:30pm
VENUE: Langley Mennonite Fellowship
LOCATION: 20997 40 Avenue, Langley, BC
Admission: Free
Coffee and Snacks provided
Photos:
- The Reverend Michael Batten with the Nisga’a Dancers. PHOTO: Sandra Vanderschaaf
- Larry Plenert. PHOTO: Courtesy of Larry Plenert
- The Reverend Laurel Dykstra. PHOTO: Sandra Vanderschaaf
- Melanie Delva. PHOTO: Wayne Chose