National Indigenous People’s Day

National Indigenous People’s Day in Canada takes place on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. It is a time to celebrate the cultures, languages, traditions and spirituality of First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities. Below is one experience of the beautiful spirituality.

Almost a year ago a friend of mine lost her husband. He was an Indigenous elder, sweat lodge keeper, pipe carrier and very generous with his cultural knowledge. A sacred fire was lit and people were invited to come and spend some time there to honour his spirit. I accepted that invitation.

Image: Toa Heftiba/Unsplash

Never having been to a sacred fire I had no idea what a lasting gift it would turn out to be for me. As I approached the property a woman dressed in a ribbon skirt welcomed me and assisted me to the location of the fire. Then a young man approached me with a bowl of smoldering sage and assisted me in a smudging ritual intended to purify, heal, and connect one with the spirit world. Another young man invited me to the opening of a large circle, gifted me with cedar and tobacco, invited me to have a moment of reflection then enter the circle and offer those gifts into the sacred fire. Following that I proceeded around the circle to greet my friend and her family. We visited for a while then I moved on as more people entered this very sacred space. I sat in the circle for some time noticing with great admiration the community spirit demonstrated in action. Several young men volunteered to tend the sacred fire, 24/7 for the 4 days. All the wood for the fire was donated. Food was available outside the circle, again donated by the community. There was storytelling, laughter, and peace within the circle.

If you have the opportunity to gain experience from your Indigenous neighbours, I encourage you to do so where peace and wisdom await you.

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

Feeling Foolish

Have you ever asked a question, only to instantly regret it the moment you heard the answer? That was me, one afternoon in Yellowknife, back in the spring of 1996.

I was chatting with George Erasmus, a respected Dene leader, in the staffroom of the high school where I taught. At the time, just days before our conversation, Governor General Roméo LeBlanc had announced the Government’s intention to create a national celebration of Indigenous peoples, to be held annually on June 21st. It was to be called National Aboriginal Day. Years later, in 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would rename it National Indigenous Peoples Day, to reflect the growing preference for the term Indigenous, both nationally and internationally.

Trying to connect with George and make conversation, I asked, “Why was June 21st chosen?” He gave me a quick, matter-of-fact response: “It’s the summer solstice. A day of traditional significance to us.” I winced inwardly at my own ignorance. “Of course,” I replied, quietly.

George went on to explain the significance of the longest day of the year, a tradition held by his people and numerous Indigenous communities across the land for generations. A time for renewal, spiritual connection, and honoring tradition.

That day in 1996 is a reminder to me of how much I must learn and how important it is to ask questions and even to appear foolish to grow in understanding.

George’s explanation stayed with me. I was reminded of his words when reading how the Government of Canada acknowledges this day, “National Indigenous Peoples Day takes place on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. For generations, many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities have celebrated their cultures, languages, and traditions at this time of year. The summer solstice holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for many Indigenous Peoples, marking a time of renewal, connection, and celebration.”

On June 21st, I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to view and celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. One great way to do this is by viewing the broadcast of Indspire Awards.  You can watch them on CBC at 7 PM and APTN at 8 PM on June 21, 2025.

As noted, online, “the Indspire Awards celebrate the highest honour the Indigenous community bestows upon its own people. After 31 years, the Indspire Awards have honoured over four hundred First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals who demonstrate outstanding achievement across Turtle Island and beyond. Their stories are shared in a nationally broadcast celebration that highlights the diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada.”

Let us keep listening, learning, and celebrating Indigenous communities, even if it means feeling foolish first.

-Sister Nancy Wales, csj

Image: Ant Rozetsky/Unsplash

The Longest Day

We are fast approaching the longest day of the year in this Northern Hemisphere.  Daylight/sunshine is precious for reasons almost too numerous to list; such as, reasons related to vegetation; reasons related to food; reasons related to bone health to mental health and on and on.  Energy from the sun is essential for life on our planet.

The saints will tell us that we all have an inner diamond, which, in order to be fully itself the diamond must absorb as much light as is possible.

Do you have plans for this longest day of 2025?  Or would you rather just be surprised by how your summer solstice day unfolds? 

Mary Oliver has written the following poem entitled “The Summer Day” which might inspire your plans/or not for the way you spend the longest day of this year.

The Summer Day

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean —
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down —
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

-Mary Oliver

Blog by Sister Elaine Cole

Image: Rajiv Bajaj/Unsplash

Remembering Fr. Gustavo Gutiérrez

In Memoriam of Gustavo Gutiérrez and Walter Brueggemann - Part 1

Along with countless others across the world, I grieve the loss of these two giants who died in 2025. They both left an indelible mark on theology and Scripture studies and, perhaps more importantly, on the lives of those fortunate enough to have access to their work. For theirs was a conceptual vision grounded in reality, a muscular hope that transformative social change and a better world are in fact possible. 

Reflection on the work of these two men would fill volumes. I offer a very brief reflection in two parts sparked by the significant personal impact of two professors who were my summer-school teachers at Boston College.

Fr. Gustavo Gutiérrez

Gustavo Gutiérrez is recognized as the father of liberation theology. What distinguishes his work and is often overlooked is his communal approach to salvation/liberation and to the “option for the poor.” In his evolving work over the decades, he continued to insist on the salvific significance of poor communities in history. Therein lies a valuable lesson in solidarity with the oppressed for us as a congregation as we struggle to find a foothold in the current world disorder and respond actively to our mission of seeking unity and reconciliation, that is, the communion of all in God.

Given the constraints of space, I choose one quotation among many to illustrate Gustavo’s key insight concerning solidarity as liberative praxis (action for liberation) in the Christian context:

“The praxis of liberation, therefore, inasmuch as it starts out from an authentic solidarity with the poor and oppressed, is ultimately a praxis of love – real love, effective and concrete, for real, concrete human beings. It is a praxis of love of neighbor, and of love for Christ in the neighbor, for Christ identifies himself with the least of these human beings, our brothers and sisters.”

As we carry out our CSJ mission, whatever our own particular circumstances, let us be inspired by the legacy of Gustavo Gutiérrez.

-Sister Joyce Murray, CSJ

Image: Jonathan Dick, OSFS/Unsplash

Confessions of a Proud Leseratte

My German friend affectionately teases me that I am a bookworm, or as she would say, a “Leseratte,” translated as a “reading rat.” Not to sound disparaging, she quickly adds that this rodent is a playful creature who reads constantly.

Lately, I have taken notice of how frequently book titles and story settings center around places that serve as abodes, whether permanent or temporary to books. These homes are libraries, bookstores, or crowded bookshelves. This is not surprising, since writers are often avid readers themselves. As a book addict, I am aware of the irresistible attraction of used bookstores, second hand stores, library catalogs, or local rummage sales. In multiple ways, these special spaces draw me in just as surely as a confectionary would entice a chocolate lover.

I find myself resonating with Jorge Luis Borges’ vision when he says, “I have always imagined paradise will be a kind of library.” I can catch a glimpse of eternal joy in his picturesque imaging.

“I have always imagined paradise will be a kind of library.”

— Jorge Luis Borges

In a world that often moves too fast, bookish spaces invite us to slow down, explore, and connect. They offer refuge, inspiration, challenges, and comfort. For those of us who cherish them, they are little gems of paradise.

-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

“At a time when our discourse seems so sharply polarized... books have always been a way for me to slow down and absorb the world.”

— Barack Obama