Who would have thought that this queer nun was going to be
involved in an amazing and incredible journey of reconciliation created by the
resilient Aboriginal Communities in Canada? Being both a non-aboriginal individual and a recent
immigrant to Canada make me a foreigner in this land. From my experience at the LGBT-Two Spirit Reconciliation Dialogue
on April 15 and 16, I now also realize that the Aboriginal communities have
welcomed me and all of us from other land through their generous spirit of family
and friendship. I also became
aware that the beautiful Land in which I chose to live on for the rest of my
life has been part of the First Nations territories long before the Europeans
arrived and colonized the Americas.
I honour this fact and I am grateful for this awareness.
My passion for reconciliation work surprised me. A few days before the reconciliation
dialogue was held, I received an email from Sr. Merry Q. telling the abbey
members that we had been invited to a reconciliation dialogue for the
LGBT-Two-Spirit Aboriginal Community by Reconciliation Canada, the agency under
the umbrella of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Reconciliation Canada (www.reconciliationcanada.ca) is
conducting a series of Reconciliation Dialogue Workshops across the province to
engage Canadians in dialogue that provides a safe environment to revitalize
relationships, raise awareness, and provide a safe environment to explore
reconciliation. By attending this workshop, we will be part of the positive
change which is created by strengthening relationships among diverse groups
such as the LGBTQ2S community.
“The Vancouver Sisters,” reads the invitation letter, “were
selected as a candidate for the two-day workshop because as a member of our
community, we can have a positive role to play in creating a new way forward in
relationships between Aboriginal peoples and Canadians.”
Right from the beginning of the workshop I felt welcome. It felt like coming home, which I think
was is possible because the Aboriginal Peoples have a powerful way to convey
their creation-centered spirituality beliefs and practices. Their prayers, songs, and healing
rituals were so comforting and resonated profoundly with me so much that I
would dare to say that I probably was a member of the First Nations in a past
life.
Through my experience in this dialogue, my increased
understanding of Indian Residential Schools, and my calling as a queer nun, I
am committed to engage other members of our Abbey, professional colleagues,
peers, friends and family members about the facts, history and impact of the residential
schools. I will also participate
in the Vancouver Walk for Reconciliation on September 22, 2013. The walk will bring people from all of
Canada’s many cultures together in a mass walk, in demonstration of a shared
commitment to reconciliation. I
invite you to join me in both of these ventures.
One Joy, More Joy,
Always Joy!! And the Joy is
multiplied when shared.
