The constituency-based MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group serves the MCEC constituency by promoting awareness and education on specific issues and topics. The information and links are those of the Working Group and do not necessarily represent MCEC as a whole.

Treaty as Sacred Covenant Videos

Mary Anne Caibaiosai

Mary Anne Caibaiosai is Ojibway Anishnaabe kwe, bear clan from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, where her ancestors walked. She is an artist, counsellor and PhD candidate in Indigenous Studies at Trent University. She is also a water walker, holds and shares traditional teachings from her Elders and teachers; responsibility for the gift of workshops she received from her Elder on: Stages of Life, Medicine Wheel Teachings, Self Care on the Medicine Wheel, Seven Stages of Life and Indigenous/non-Indigenous worldview. She will lead the third of four ceremonial water walks for the Grand River following the protocols of Josephine-baa Mandamin. She also holds a Master of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University, a Bachelor of First Nations & Aboriginal Counselling Degree, Brandon University.

Resources

The All Nations Grand River Water Walk, led by Mary Anne Caibaiosai, will begin on September 13, 2021. 

Skyler Williams and Eric Lankin

Skyler Williams and Eric Lankin are Land Defenders at 1492 Landback Lane. Hear how they are navigating this conflict even while the potential for violence simmers.

Skyler Williams is a spokesperson for the land defenders at 1492 Land Back Lane. He and the other defenders have been at the site since the summer of 2020. Land Defenders are calling on the Crown to meet with Six Nations and fulfill their outstanding land obligations and debts. Despite the court injunctions and arrests and intimidation from provincial police, the Land Defenders remain on site and are determined to continue their struggle until there is a peaceful resolution.

Skyler will be joined on the call by his long-time friend Erik Lankin. Erik was born on the Haldimand Tract and was part of Waterloo North Mennonite Church growing up. He has been deeply involved in Indigenous justice and solidarity for many years and is calling on Mennonites and others to become engaged in seeking justice for Indigenous Peoples. 

Resources and Follow up from Talk with 1492 Landback Lane

Upcoming Events of Interest

Resources and Information

Sandi Boucher

Sandi Boucher is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and activist dedicated to empowering people by increasing their awareness of their own capacity.  A proud member of Seine River First Nation in northern Ontario, Sandi uses storytelling, metaphors, conversational English and humour to make complex concepts understandable, all the while renewing her listeners belief in themselves and their own individual wisdom.  Sandi strives to make every learning experience enjoyable, whether her audience is Indigenous, non-Indigenous, or mixed. Sandi lives in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where she enjoys spoiling her grandchildren.

Adrian Jacobs

Ganosono of the Turtle Clan, Cayuga Nation of the Six Nations Haudenosaunee Confederacy at Grand River Territory, ON. Adrian is the father of five and grandfather of two. He lives as guest on Anishinaabe Treaty One territory as Keeper of the Circle of Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre. He teaches in the areas of Indigenous history, culture and contemporary issues.

Additional Resources Referred to in Video

Rick Cober Bauman and Steve Heinrichs

Egg Salad at the Court House! The Case of the Lost Document! Hear these stories and more...

Rick Cober Bauman - Rick lives with spouse Louise on an organic farm near Shakespeare, Ontario where they raised three offspring. Haudenosaunee and Neutral, and Anishnabe people preceded them on this beautiful land. Rick serves as Executive Director of MCC Canada.

Steve Heinrichs - Steve Heinrichs is a Settler Christian from Winnipeg, Manitoba — Treaty 1 territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation. The director of Indigenous-Settler Relations for Mennonite Church Canada, Steve is also the author/editor of 5 books exploring matters of decolonization, including Unsettling the Word. He spent a week in jail for supporting the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s right to protect their territories/watersheds from the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. Steve is a student of activism who loves to march with his partner, Ann, and their children, Izzy, Aiden, and Abby.

Additional Resources and Action Opportunities Arising from January Story-telling Session:

Treaty as Sacred Covenant Videos

Lyndsay Mollins Koene with Sam Achneepineskum

Lyndsay is honoured to have spent over 25 years working with Mennonite Central Committee's Indigenous Neighbours Program. As Coordinator, she partners with First Nations and Indigenous Organizations throughout Ontario to pursue relief, development and peace. Lyndsay earned a Masters of Education; but she feels it is the traditional knowledge shared with her by Indigenous teachers over the years that has brought to life the work she does with communities. Lyndsay works at the MCC Timmins Regional office on the Traditional Territory of Mattagami First Nation as part of Treaty Nine, living with her partner Job, and children Christian and Amanda.

Links of Interest:

Information on Treaty 9 and treaties in general

Information on Truth and Reconciliation Commission  

Information on Mennonite involvement in residential schools

Residential Schools

Mennonites were latecomers, but we too were a part of the “Indian School system”  

1939-1945: During World War II, Mennonite Conscientious Objectors were placed as teachers in Manitoba Day and Residential Schools. 

1950s and 60s: Mennonites were running ‘Indian’ schools and homes in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.  

1948–1968: Mennonites operate Day Schools on the Sunchild Cree Reserve and at Fort Vermillion in Alberta, and in Pauingassi and Bloodvein in Manitoba  

1955: The Department of Indian Affairs estimates that between 1/3 and ½ of all teachers in the ‘unorganized territories’ are Mennonites. 

1962–1989: In Northwestern Ontario three Residential Schools are operated by Mennonites. 

1973 – 1990: Mennonite volunteers serve at the Montreal Lake/Timber Bay Children’s Home in Saskatchewan. The home was for indigenous children whose parents were away on the trap lines; children were legally bound to attend school by the Canadian government.  

Stirland Lake; a boys’ high school, and Cristal Lake; the girls’ high school, opened in the 70’s, eventually merged, and continued to operate out of the Stirland Lake campus. During this time, the lives of more than 600 children in 18 First Nation communities living in the far north were affected. After the amalgamated Stirland Lake High School was closed in the early 1990’s, survivors and their communities petitioned the courts and successfully had both schools added to the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. Indigenous communities and former Mennonite staff have much to contribute to our conversation around residential schools. Mennonite Central Committee is making efforts to hold space for those conversations.

Apology:

  • The 1997 Apology from Northern Lights Gospel Mission, renamed Impact North Ministries.
    “…We sincerely acknowledge and validate your perspective on your school experiences, even when our perspectives may be different than yours. For the times when we physically inflicted pain, or added to the pain of your soul by our actions, we are sorry. For the times when we underestimated or ignored the impact on you of your separation from your family, we are sorry. For the times when our ignorance or negligence caused you to suffer additional emotional and physical pain at the hands of other students, we are sorry. For the times when school personnel were not properly screened, and when personnel were not adequately trained to relate to you in culturally appropriate ways, we are sorry. For the times that we acted as though we were culturally superior to you, we are sorry. For the ways in which we cooperated with the national plan to force your assimilation into Canadian society, we are sorry.”

An Apology Statement - 2013:

To: the former Students of Poplar Hill Development School, Stirland Lake School, and Crystal Lake School

From: the current representatives of the Administration and Staff members of the agencies that operated these schools (Impact North Ministries and Northern Youth Programs)

We have heard the expressions of genuine pain in what you have said about the schools and your experiences there. We are doing our best to understand you and to empathize with you in your

journey to healing and resolution.

We sincerely acknowledge and validate your perspective on your school experiences, even when our perspectives may be different than yours.

Our apology today includes the following specifics:

For the times when we physically inflicted pain, or added to the pain of your soul by our actions, we are sorry.

For the times when we underestimated or ignored the impact on you of your separation from your family, we are sorry.

For the times when our ignorance or negligence caused you to suffer additional emotional and physical pain at the hands of other students, we are sorry.

For the times when school personnel were not properly screened, and when personnel were not adequately trained to relate to you in culturally appropriate ways, we are sorry.

For the times that we acted as though we were culturally superior to you, we are sorry.

For the ways in which we cooperated with the national plan to force your assimilation into Canadian society, we are sorry.

Conclusion:

We pledge ourselves to the ongoing healing process by offering ourselves to you for private conversations, or with a third party present, as you wish.

Please consider our apology, and our sincere desire for a successful healing journey.

Drafted by: Merle Nisly; Living Hope Native Ministries, Red Lake, ON and Clair Schnupp; Northern Youth Ministries, Dryden, ON

Janis Monture

Janis is from Six Nations of the Grand River, Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan. She has recently returned as the Executive Director of Woodland Cultural Centre. Previously, Janis was appointed the Director of Tourism and Cultural Initiatives for the Six Nations Development Corporation. Janis was a committee member for the Great Lakes Research Alliance for the Study of Aboriginal Arts and Cultures and for the Arts & Culture Advisory Council for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Para Pan American Games.

Links of Interest:

Myeengun Henry

Myeengun is Manager/ Counsellor of Be-Dah-Bin Gamik, Indigenous services at Conestoga College and former Chief of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. He created an Indigenous studies course called “A first nations experience” and practices Indigenous ceremonies and language.  He serves as co-chair of the Indigenous Advisory group at the Ontario Law Society Law Society of Ontario; an elder/teacher at McMaster University; and Indigenous advisor to the Ontario Provincial Police. He organizes rallies to address the climate crisis; and hosts CJIQ-FM’s NISH-VIBES radio show. Myeengun is building an off the grid house and several tiny houses on his reserve.