We Remember - National Indigenous Veterans Day

We Also Remember....

National Indigenous Veterans Day, observed on November 8, is a time to honour and remember the Indigenous peoples who have served Canada in times of war and peace for more than 200 years, from the War of 1812 and the two World Wars to Afghanistan and beyond. First observed in Winnipeg in 1994 as National Aboriginal Veterans Day, it recognizes the contributions of approximately 23,000 Indigenous Veterans, as well as the more than 2,700 Indigenous people currently serving in Canada's military.

As we honour their courage, service and sacrifice, we must also remember the injustices many experienced upon returning home. During and after the Second World War and the Korean War, Indigenous Veterans were often denied the same benefits and opportunities offered to other Veterans. Some lost access to their reserve lands, while others were required to give up their First Nations status to receive benefits. Their service deserves not only our gratitude but also our recognition of the hardships and inequalities they endured.

However, this rich heritage has been recognized in many ways. The names given to several Royal Canadian Navy warships over the years, like HMCS Iroquois, Cayuga and Huron, are just one indication of our country's lasting respect for the contributions of Indigenous Veterans. This long tradition of military service is also commemorated with the striking National Aboriginal Veterans Monument in Ottawa. This deeply symbolic memorial features a large bronze eagle at its top, with four men and women from different Indigenous groups from across Canada immediately below. A wolf, bear, bison and caribou—powerful animals that represent "spiritual guides" which have long been seen by Indigenous cultures as important to military success—look out from each corner. Remembrance ceremonies are held at this special monument, including on Indigenous Veterans Day which is observed each year on November 8.

 -Sister Kathleen Lichti, csj

image: Dejan Zakic/Unsplash

The Gift of Volunteering - Outreach in our Neighbourhood

“That they all may be one…” John 17

As I hand out vouchers for food or items at the thrift store, I am grateful to be a Saint Vincent de Paul volunteer. Our visits bring us face to face with neighbours in need; our exchange is a mutual gift. As well as emergency relief support, we try to offer encouragement and compassion. We see you…We hear you… We care…

We try our best to walk WITH the other, with neighbours who are marginalized. We learn from their shared lived experience. It is a two way exchange. And we know charity without justice is incomplete. Social justice assistance requires looking at the larger political and economic picture. Change through advocacy is a needed response.

Being a volunteer is not only about responding to needs, it is also about sharing yourself - listening, caring, breaking through the isolation. There are many dedicated service organizations that make a difference, asking for volunteers to be present in this way. And for financial support.

The gift of some of my encounters will linger a long time. I remember sitting on a concrete stoop outside a run down basement suite and conversing with an elderly man. We learned that it was not only the church meal he missed when the service was closed in the summer, it was the connection with volunteers who knew his name and always talked with him. So we lingered and he shared some of his life story. We thanked him for this gift.

Listening deeply, being present, offering bread to break and easing isolation. And so we continue, sharing our stories with each other and as a famous poet wrote…

 “There is no way, we make our way by walking.”

(-Antonio Machado)

- Patricia Howe, Kindred Spirits Associate

Image: Rémi Walle @walre037/Unsplash

"Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar" (Traveler, there is no path, the path is made by walking) is one of the most famous lines by Spanish poet Antonio Machado, published in his 1912 collection Campos de Castilla (Lands of Castile).

Novena for the U.S. Mid-term Elections

As we know, the mid term elections in the United States will be held on Nov 3 which is of great interest not only to Americans but to us in Canada and others around the world.

For my own information, I attended a virtual gathering offered by a group in the U.S. 'Catholics In Communion' entitled, “Preparing for Faithful Witness in a Consequential Election”.

In this session, they talked about issues related to people being prevented or discouraged from voting or threatened,fear of officials refusing to certify election results, and deployment of Federal Agents, to mention just a few concerns. They emphasized that people need to be faithful witnesses not just on Election Day but all the way up to the day those elected are sworn in on January 3.

Some actions this group is organizing can only be done by Americans.  However, one of their actions we can all participate in is a Virtual Election Novena from November 1st to 9th.  We are called to defend democracy, so let's register for this novena and continue to pray: https://www.catholicsincommunion.org/events        

-Sister Nancy Sullivan, csj

Image: Jon Sailer @jonmsailer/Unsplash