Eighty people gathered in Ottawa Mennonite Church (OMC) on the evening of May 31 for a time of worship and storytelling. Ten were indigenous people, survivors of Indian residential schools, who had travelled from various locations in Ontario to attend events surrounding the release by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of its summary report into the history and legacy of the schools. The visitors were accompanied by Lyndsay Mollins Koene of Timmins, Indigenous Neighbours Coordinator with MCC Ontario.
Survivors told stories of observing or experiencing sexual abuse in the schools, being forced to eat their own vomit when they became sick, and of looking down upon their parents after a time of indoctrination in the schools.
From the other side, one OMC member said that her parents worked in a residential school. “They were kind and loving people but they were part of a system which did a lot of harm. I feel some amount of guilt and shame on behalf of settler society for this.”
The group shared songs and scripture readings in addition to the stories. People also wrote messages to survivors on an MCC blanket, which will be deposited with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Winnipeg.
Dennis Gruending is an Ottawa-based author and blogger and a member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
See also:
“What do we take away from the TRC?” Editor Dick Benner considers how Mennonites have shared in the attitudes and actions condemned in the final Truth and Reconciliation report.
“Children taught to hate themselves says TRC report”- Highlights of the concluding document and events in Ottawa surrounding its release on June 2, 2015.
“Kairos hosts Time for Reconciliation”- The ecumenical justice coalition Kairos organized a gathering complementary to the official TRC events happening in Ottawa.
“We’ve heard the truth. Do we have the courage for reconciliation?” J. Neufeld attended a TRC solidarity event in Winnipeg and reflected on how Mennonites might have benefitted from past mistreatment of their aboriginal neighbours.
“Thoughts on Peru and the TRC”- Dave Rogalsky reflects on how 16th century attitudes against the Incas of Peru might relate to Christians’ attitudes toward people of other cultures and faith today.
Women sign a blanket at the Ottawa Mennonite Church storytelling circle. (Photo by Dennis Gruending)
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