TRUTH, TRADITIONS and TREATIES

FALL 2022 EVENT SCHEDULE - Closed

October 13  - Custodians: A Story of Ancient Echoes - with Facilitator, David Neufeld

December 9 - Reserve 107: Reconciliation on the Prairies - with Facilitator, Rev. Jason Johnson

Reserve 107: Reconciliation on the Prairies tells the story of a group of Mennonite and Lutheran settlers living north of Saskatoon on land that was opened to settlement, in spite of it being previously assigned as a reserve for the Young Chippewayan Band in the Treaty 6 settlement of 1876.  Learn how these three groups banded together to overcome injustice; and, to understand the influence this has on us today.

This award-winning documentary was directed by Brad Leitch and produced by Adrienne Leitch of Rebel Sky Media.  The film continues to facilitate conversations in other land disputes, and is seen as a model for Indigenous conversations across Canada. 

Viewing this documentary with community provides an opportunity for group discussion, refection, and shared learnings about issues and actions which have happened, and continue to happen, close to home.

Exciting Update, written by Jason Johnson:

June 22nd, 2022, a gathering took place on top of Stony knoll (the original site of St John’s Lutheran Church) to mark the official opening the Stony Knoll interpretive site. There has been a long journey of relationship building that has brought us to this point. There have been gatherings, the film Reserve107, the signing of a memorandum understanding, meetings, but most importantly the building of our relationship.  What this day signifies for us Lutherans, Stony Knoll First Nation (Young Chippewayan), and the Mennonite churches is the embrace of our common journey of reconciliation to one another and to the creator.  This is a journey that began with many underpinnings of frustration, anger, distrust, and lack of awareness.  Today we celebrated a relationship of trust, mutual respect, friendship, reconciliation and of seeking understanding.

 This interpretive site was established to become a permanent visual structure that shares the history in the story of St Johns Lutheran Church, the Stony Knoll First Nation, and the Mennonite community.  It is our commitment to the past (our histories) to the present (our activity) into the future (our hope).  Chief Sylvia from the Stony Knoll First Nation shared that as she drove up to the site she was overwhelmed with the feeling of coming home.  For myself this was one of the most significant things that happened that day.  It is significant because it marks the coming together of all of us as one people.  It also signifies the openness and the acceptance of the people of St Johns Lutheran, Stoney Knoll First Nation, and the Mennonite community.

It is also important to note that this is a story about people of faith. 2 Corinthians 5:20 states that “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”   This story is about the activity of our church striving to make reconciliation of part of who we are as people, because are we not called to be participants as ambassadors for Christ and as well as recipients of Gods reconciling work.

This event is about unity, its about us coming together in unity for justice and love.  So why would we be sharing the story on our own.  We are a unified voice, one voice. As a small symbol of this unity, we have asked that we share the story of this event using the same article that was written by Emily Summach for the Canadian Mennonite Magazine  https://canadianmennonite.org/stories/interpretive-path-tells-story-reconciliation-efforts-rural-saskatchewan  

The Doctrine of Discovery:  Stolen Lands, Strong Hearts is a challenging and truthful documentary, meant to educate  people on the doctrine and create an awareness of its legacy.  View the documentary and participate in a small group discussion, with opportunities to share thoughts and questions and reflect.

The film is just one of the responses of the Anglican Church's Primate's Commission on discovery, reconciliation and justice.   The purpose of the film is to respond to the calls to action by helping to provide education and insight into the racist foundations of many of our property and other laws still in existence to this day.

Storytelling is an incredibly important way of expressing Indigenous knowledge, culture and oral traditions.  Randy Morin's passion for sharing Indigenous culture and his committment to Indigenous language revitalization will inspire and help us understand the power of stories passed down generation to generation.

Randy Morin is from Big River First Nation, located in central Saskatchewan on Treaty 6 territory.   He currently lives in Saskatoon with his family.  Randy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies from the University of Regina, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan, and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Victoria, in addition to a lifetime of traditional Plains Cree teachings and knowledge.  As a Cree language keeper and a traditional Indigenous Knowledge keeper Randy is passionate about maintaining and teaching his Cree language and culture and empowering others.

Marilyn Poitras is passionate about developing solutions for building recognition, inclusion, and the promotion of historic and contemporary Indigenous perspectives.  She enlightens audiences to the historic violence against MMIWG and 2SLGBTQ+ with solutions, empowering all to create change within all spheres of influence.

• ​Better understand the systemic misrepresentation of Indigenous women and persons.

• Learn about the injustices that have disproportionately affected and perpetuated cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and children.

• Be inspired by the strength and power of Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit Peoples that will in turn extend to the well-being of men and boys.

Marilyn Poitras is an innovative changemaker of Michif descent hailing from Southern Saskatchewan.  Marilyn is a lawyer, negotiator, professor, film producer, and most importantly a community builder.   Combining her Master of Laws from Harvard and the teachings from traditional Knowledge Keepers in communities all over the world, Marilyn is paving the pathway to an Indigenous language of design thinking for social change. 

Explore the beauty of this traditional art form.  Artist, Vanessa Hyggen will introduce the beautiful art of beading.  On week one she will teach the basics of one-needle beading, taking participants through the steps to create a flat stitch beaded pattern.  On week two, a backing, pin, and edgework will be added to the beadworks created, resulting in a wonderful piece of wearble art.  

Vanessa Hyggen is a painter and beadwork artist living in Saskatoon, SK whose focus is mainly on painting the boreal forest.  She is a Cree and Norwegian female who is passionate about her sense of belonging in the North – these memories serve as a palette for her work.   Hyggen loves light and color and hopes to always continue to grow with her artwork and never become stagnant.