September 25thMovements in Reconciliation
The very visible “Orange Bench” sits in front of The Community Exchange where Seeds Church worships in Altona. The Bench is making its way through the community, creating a centre for sharing Indigenous history and real life experience. The Steps toward Reconciliation group is organizing its community to learn more about their neighbours of Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation.
Other congregations across Manitoba have reconnected to our northern communities of Pauingassi, Matheson Island, and Pimichikamak (Cross Lake) this summer. Pastors and youth from Altona Bergthaler Mennonite spent an afternoon in July rebuilding a regular connection to the Matheson community. After four years, members of Grace Mennonite (Steinbach) returned to Pauingassi to find an even stronger bond with the community as they partnered to offer a kids’ camp.
Laura Dyck and her family from Whitewater Mennonite (Boissevain) accompanied a group of 38 volunteers from Sterling, Douglas, and Fort Garry churches that led programs in Pimichikamak. Laura taught beading to a group of young people taking part in the leadership program (see photo). She says her kids have been talking about their experience non-stop since returning to their farm in Boissevain.
“We’re so thankful for the opportunity to have made so many new connections during our time at Cross Lake,” Laura says, “with kids, youth, the community, and new friends. Our kids loved being involved with the program. We can’t wait to return to this amazing place!”
MCM Director of Mission Engagement Melanie Neufeld’s recent trip to Winnipegosis also highlighted the ongoing connections between Mennonites and our Indigenous neighbours. There, a local Mennonite seamstress sews jigging costumes, offers her home as a rest stop for travelers coming from the north, and has tapped Manitoba maple trees on her property alongside an Indigenous woman for many years.
We have the opportunity to learn many things as we share life together in Manitoba. What are you learning through your neighbourly connections with your Indigenous neighbours?
Pray for these and other movements in reconciliation happening within MCM and beyond. Consider how you and your congregation can get involved in a movement of reconciliation in your area. If you’d like to give to support this and other regional mission work, you can donate to MCM at www.mennochurch.mb.ca/giving.