Friday, September 30, 2022: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Although only one province (PEI) and two territories (The Northwest Territories and Nunavut) recognize today as a statutory holiday (one that the law requires people to take off and/or will pay people more if they need to work) … today is a National Day of Remembrance in Canada.
Also known as Orange Shirt Day, this day pauses to reflect on the atrocious ways the Indigenous Peoples have been treated here in Canada, their home and native land – specifically remembering the countless children who were torn from their families and forced to attend Residential Schools. While we remember these things today, we honour the children who died because of their time spent in the Residential Schools and we also consider the survivors, many of whom are still suffering the repercussions of the trauma experienced.
This day, however, is not only for reflection and remembrance. It is a time for all of us who are settlers, to actively listen. To hear the stories and to listen not only for the sake of receiving the experiences of others and to honour those who share them, but also to change the way we live now. To listen well so that we become partners with truth and reconciliation rather than becoming passive perpetuators who keep doing the old, hurtful things in new and modern ways.
As heavy and overwhelming as this may be, as the People of God, this is our responsibility.
This is part of what it looks like to care for the orphans and the widows in Canada, in 2022.
This is part of what it looks like to be followers of Jesus who is The Truth and The Way to being reconciled with God.
As we listen, we will also begin to hear stories of healing.
Because while there are countless, heartbreaking stories that continue to surface, God has been moving in powerful ways to bring about healing and wholeness and miraculous transformation to Indigenous people in Canada. And while that good work God has begun is far from being completed, it continues to unfold faithfully.
Because that is who God is.
Regardless of what the pain and the devastation look like, God is a God of peace and redemption – making wrong things right, bringing beauty from ashes and raising all of us in our death to new life through Jesus!!
This is the heart of the Gospel and this is the message that was neglected and completely mis-represented to the Indigenous children of Canada. And their families and the many generations who have followed. The stories of “God” that they have witnessed and heard and been taught were not the true Story of God.
It was not Good News.
And yet God continues to move, mysteriously bringing forth new avenues for hearing the real deal, Good News of the Gospel!
There is a stunning new Bible that was published in 2021. Mine arrived in the mail today (Sept. 30th!!) and I can’t put it down!
It is called the First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament.
“The FNV is a retelling of Creator’s Story from Scriptures, attempting to follow the tradition of the storytellers of our oral cultures. Many of our Native tribes still resonate with the cultural and linguistic thought patterns found in their original tongues. This way of speaking, with its simple yet profound beauty and rich cultural idioms, still resonates in the hearts of Native people.”
introduction to the first nations version
A translation council of twelve First Nations individuals with tribal heritages from diverse geographical regions was formed and the New Testament was translated and communicated in a new, very old, way. They worked closely with some organizations who helped with providing tools and training, technical support and funding. However, those partners were “committed to having the First Nations people do the actual work of translation, while they provided experience, expertise, help and feedback” (xii Introduction to the First Nations Version).
I cannot encourage all of you enough to look into getting your hands on a copy of this New Testament! This is another way we can choose to actively listen and learn from Indigenous brothers and sisters in Christ.
And in the most beautifully redemptive, undeserved God-twist of our time, the Church in Canada now has the extreme privilege to hear the Gospel presented by the First Nations peoples of Turtle Island (North America).
When Creator Sets Free (Jesus) saw this great crowd, he went back up into the mountainside and sat down to teach the people. His followers came to him there, so he took a deep breath, opened his mouth, and began to share his wisdom with them and teach them how to see Creator’s good road.
“Creator’s blessing rests on the poor, the ones with broken spirits. The good road from above is theirs to walk.
Creator’s blessing rests on the ones who walk softly and in a humble manner. The earth, land, and sky will welcome them and always be their home.
Creator’s blessing rests on the ones who hunger and thirst for wrongs to be made right again. They will eat and drink until they are full.
Creator’s blessing rests on the ones who are merciful and kind to others. Their kindness will find its way back to them – full circle.
Creator’s blessing rests on the pure of heart.
They are the ones who will see the Great Spirit.Creator’s blessing rests on the ones who make peace.
It will be said of them, ‘They are children of the Great Spirit!’Creator’s blessing rests on the ones who are hunted down and mistreated for doing what is right, for they are walking the good road from above.
Others will lie about you, speak against you, and look down on you with scorn and contempt, all because you walk the road with me. This is a sign that Creator’s blessing is resting on you. So let your hearts be glad and jump for joy, for you will be honoured in the spirit-world above. You are like the prophets of old, who were treated in the same way by your ancestors.”
Matthew 5:1-12 (Fnv)
For more information about the First Nations Version of the New Testament, check out their website: https://firstnationsversion.com/