Updates from the Reconciliation Working Group

At the St. John’s Annual General Meeting, a working group was created to guide the whole parish towards greater connection & reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in our local community.  So, where are we now?
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The Working Group has met several times to get to know each other, pool learning resources, and discern steps the Parish can take on the path towards reconciliation. As with any new journey, we need to get the ‘lay of the land’ before we know how to travel!

• On May 15th, St. John’s had a strong presence at the unveiling of the “We Are One People” stone placed by Mi’kmaq elders & supporters in Clock Park
  
• On May 27th, we met with leaders from Wolfville Baptist Church to learn from their reconciliation journey 
• On June 23rd, we hosted An Evening of Apology and Hope at St. John’s, which offered an overview of the evolving relationship between Indigenous people and the Anglican Church of Canada, with special attention to the spiritual harms that need acknowledgement and healing

Learning opportunities continue this summer and you are invited to be a part of them:

Following the 10am service on Sunday, July 10th, Evan James Stewart, a Registered Professional Forester, will share his experience of working and consulting with many First Nations in a professional capacity advising on Treaty rights and reconciliation, on natural resources and land claims.  Evan was raised in Wolfville and we’re pleased to welcome him back to St. John’s for this informal, conversational time of learning.

On July 16th & 17th, Annapolis Valley First Nation will be hosting its 1st Annual Strawberry Competition Pow Wow.  This is a free event, open to everyone – and some folks from St. John’s are volunteering there, too.  At the AVFN Ball Field (64 Goo Ow Lane, Cambridge NS). 

If you have questions or ideas for the Reconciliation Working Group – or if you’d like to carpool to the Strawberry Pow Wow – contact Nicole Uzans or MaryEllen Finlay.