On March 14, the Truth and Reconciliation Committee of the Roman Catholic Diocese of London provided a superb program to foster understanding and friendship with the three indigenous nations close to London. Those fortunate to obtain a place met at the office of the London Roman Catholic School Board Office at 8:00 a.m. After a short introduction, we formed a large circle on the adjacent lawn. Elder and Knowledge keeper Ray John from the Oneida Nation provided a teaching before leading us in the smudge which officially opened the day’s program. This ceremony comprised a prayer to the Creator, a means for cleansing our minds, and for uniting us in carrying out the activities of this Day of Reconciliation.
We returned to the building for breakfast before boarding the bus which took us to the three reserves near London: Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Munsee-Delaware First Nation, and Oneida First Nation. Tyler Wadilove from Munsee Delaware First Nation became our guide during our tour of the three reserves. At our first stop, the Mount Elgin Residential School Monument. Mr. Wadilove described the life of students at this industrial school, e.g., working twelve-hour days. The monument was comprised of seven pillars arranged in a circle. The external surface of each pillar depicted one of the seven characteristics of a wise person. The internal face of the pillars listed the names of people who had attended the residential school. Here, we listened to some history of residential schools and stories of the suffering of both students and their families.
The three reserves, larger than I had anticipated, provide a welcome experience of land free from the noise and density of roads, buildings and traffic. The Oneida Reserve, largest of the three First Nation reserves, has a population of more than thirty thousand people. Throughout the three areas, schools, health centres, band offices, and recreational facilities were impressive. We visited the Elk River elementary school, which contained a double gymnasium and several attractive classrooms. Throughout the school amazing art enclosed us in indigenous culture.
Our guide, Tyler Wadilove, spoke of the delayed construction of pipes to bring potable water to the three reservations and the consequences of this situation.
In responding to a question about what we might do to help the three first Nations, Mr. Wadilove suggested that we could advocate to demand that it be corrected. This can be done by writing a letter to your member of Parliament. Your letter could express appreciation for the work already done to provide potable water to First Nations across Canada. The letter should also urgently request funding to support infrastructure and training for sustainable water treatment facilities to Chippewas of Thames First nation, Munsee-Delaware First Nation, and Oneida Nation of the Thames. Bottled water provided as a short-term solution has become unsustainable.
Our bus transported us back to the school board office where we enjoyed a lunch that included a traditional soup and Bannock. The afternoon program provided excellent presentations by Anishinaabe and Mi’kmaq knowledge keepers. The program concluded with teaching about the history and nature of round dances. Following some instructions, we engaged in a round dance, our last activity of the day.
The “Day of Reconciliaction and Friendship” was an experience well worth attending, and I hope that the Truth and Reconciliation Committee will offer it again.
-Sister Pat McKeon, csj
