Listening Loudly

Unsplash photo/Nick Fewings

To borrow the invitation from a hearing aid company, is it time for Canada to “Listen”?

To what are we called to listen in light of the hundreds of unmarked graves discovered on the grounds of former residential schools? The unmasking of this reality suggests that the general public has been deafened and deliberately prevented from hearing the voices of the Indigenous peoples of this land. This needs to stop.

It is interesting to note how “listening” seems to be a theme that is emerging on several fronts:

Pope Francis leads a meeting with representatives of bishops' conferences from around the world at the Vatican Oct. 9, 2021. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

• Pope Francis has begun a two year Synod in which he calls Bishops to listen to what the people in their dioceses are saying. https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/vatican-extends-until-august-initial-listening-phase-synod-bishops

• Retired Senator Murray Sinclair states, of the Residential School System that “The survivors… had been trying to get their message out for a long time,” says Chancellor Sinclair. “They were talking to the media. They were talking to the general public. They would talk to whoever would listen to them, but no one picked up on that message. Partly, I think, because there were so many people who just didn't believe that it could happen in this country.” https://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/chancellor-murray-sinclair-shares-thoughts-ahead-national-day-truth-and-reconciliation

• The Jesuit social form is providing “Listening to Indigenous Voices, A Dialogue Guide on Justice and Right Relationships”

• The release  of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report (TRC) in Dec. 2015, calls all Canadians to “listen up” and to ACT in the 94 Calls to Action that are proposed. https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/justice-murray-sinclairs-remarks-on-the-truth-and-reconciliation-report/

““Those of us who have benefited from colonization have a responsibility to address the system that has enriched us by stealing the land and lives of Indigenous Peoples. The first steps in this process are to listen deeply to what Indigenous Peoples are saying to us, to open ourselves to be transformed by their words, and to act based on what they are telling us to address injustices.” ”

— These are the words of Associate Professor & Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice Deborah McGregor, an Anishinaabe from Whitefish River First Nation, Birch Island, Ontario.

From just these few examples, we can appreciate that listening is absolutely necessary for a nation, for a Church, to move toward reconciliation and transformation.

So, let’s listen up with open minds and hearts and see if what we hear moves us to genuine action for a better Canada, a reformed Church, and a personal transformation.

-Sister Kathleen Lichti

"This is not the time for fireworks"

Moved & challenged by this interview with Niigaan Sinclair

commitTING to the more that we can become together. #CanadaDay2021

The Inspiring 2018 Indspire Awards

Sadly, for many Canadians the celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day on July 21^st will come and go with little fanfare. However, we all have a second chance this week to increase our understanding and appreciation of Indigenous Peoples by tuning into the Indspire Awards this Sunday evening.  This inspiring program will be broadcast nationwide on June 24, 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT) on CBC, CBC Radio One and cbc.ca/watch.  http://www.cbc.ca/indspire/watch-the-2018-indspire-awards-1.4552124

The Indspire Awards, until 2012 the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, are held annually. These awards first presented in 1994 celebrate exceptional First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals. Each of the recipients is honoured for her/his significant contributions. The awards recognize one individual with a lifetime achievement award.  Other recipients of awards are from the following career categories: Arts, Business & Commerce, Culture, Heritage & Spirituality, Education, Health, Law & Justice, Politics, Public Service and Sports. Not all individual career categories are necessarily presented annually. This year’s awards recognize individuals from a wide range of categories including the first Indigenous graduate of the University of British Columbia and the first Inuk surgeon. There are also three special Youth Awards - one for   First Nations,   Inuit     and   Métis, that come with a cash prize of $10,000.  

The broadcast also features special performances by Indigenous talent from across Canada. This year's list includes:

• Indian City led by Vince Fontaine (2018 Juno-nominated)
• Sanikiluaq singer and songwriter Kelly Fraser (2018 Juno-nominated)
• Dancer and choreographer Santee Smith
• Singer, composer, and producer Jennifer Kreisberg (Genie Award winner for Best Achievement in Music)
• Classically trained Canadian cellist Cris Derksen, with members of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
• Dance troupe Asham Stompers, with 13-year-old twin fiddler brothers Double the Trouble and Gustin Adjun.

On several occasions I’ve availed myself of the opportunity to watch the Indspire Awards.  As the final credits rolled, I have always come away with a heightened appreciation for the numerous gifts and wisdom that Indigenous Peoples contribute to our national mosaic. - Sr. Nancy Wales, csj

Make Your Voice Heard

On July 26^th, listening to the evening news on the car radio, I was elated to learn that the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that sonic testing by oil companies must cease on the waters in the Arctic.  This decision is the result of a hard- fought battle by the people of the tiny hamlet of Clyde River in Nunuvut. Now, marine mammals like beluga, bowhead and narwhals will be protected from deafening seismic blasts. The decision goes against National Energy Board’s agreement to allow 3 Norwegian companies seeking to fire air guns into the waters of Baffin Bay and Davis Strait.  As part of the ruling, the Inuit community of Clyde River received long term assurance that their culture and way of life will continue.  Most importantly, the ruling stated that the federal government must ensure that Indigenous concerns are heard and treaty rights are honoured.  There must be honest consultation.

Throughout the last three years, the Greenpeace Canada website had been collecting online signatures from the public to support the Inuit community’s local efforts to stop the underwater testing which would wreak havoc on marine life.

Of all the online appeals for signatures to support various causes that pop up on my computer screen, I felt compelled to add my signature to Green Peace Canada to support the people of Clyde River in their quest to halt the big oil Goliath.  As Green Peace regularly reported, the online signatures grew steadily to an astounding over 400,000 advocates petitioning the federal government to stand up for Indigenous rights and stop seismic testing.  Finally, after much work by the Clyde River Inuit and supported by signatures and interventions, justice prevailed.  Clyde River WON their case at the Supreme Court of Canada.  I felt that my signature played a tiny part in that victory.

As to becoming involved in various online pleas for support, it is easy for me to give a cursory glance at the issue presented and press “delete”.  Presto! I have one less thing to consider on a busy day.  However, I’m learning to take a second look and put some time into researching various causes and choose initiatives where my support might make a difference.

I’m proud that I supported the fight to halt a dangerous oil exploration project that threatened the Canadian Arctic.  All it took was some time and effort --- and pressing “click” on the Green Peace website.

Jean Moylan, CSJ