Right Relations Events for 2021
We started our year with receiving two grants that totaled $13,000. We received a UCC Seeds of Hope Grant for $8,000 and support from Chinook Winds for $5,000. These generous grants allowed to carry out the following work for the year.
Red Dress Day Celebrations
At the beginning of May a call went out to the congregation for red dresses to display near the tipi. Red Dress Day honours the spirits of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. We received 14 dresses and they were hung near descriptive posters for all to read and to understand. We were given the privilege of having the unveiling or a Red Jingle Dress that Teresa Snow was commissioned to create for the United Church of Canada. I was able to interview Teresa regarding the meaning behind the dress with regard to MMIWG and this was shown during a church service.
Video: Red Dress Day with Teresa Snow
Right Relations Bottle Drive
On May 14 we were overwhelmed with the response from the congregation for donations of bottles and recycled products. A total of $700 was raised and went towards our part of the matching grant program.
Remembering the Children May 30
The tragic news of the discovery of the 215 graves of children on the grounds of the Kamloops Residential School left all of us in despair. Gloria Snow held a ceremony at the tipi to pray and honour those that were affected. A video of her prayer was shown during the June 6, 2021 church service. Tony Snow spoke at the Service on May 30 as well. We asked the congregation to place new or like new shoes near the tipi to show their support and we received 80 pairs. They were gathered up by Gloria and distributed to children in Morley in early September.
Video: Prayer for the Kamloops Children
Heart Garden
On June 16 our little Heart Garden was cleaned up and newly donated heart motifs were placed throughout. Parishioners gave their best wishes to those in mourning in Kamloops. Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams invites people of all ages to plant heart gardens in memory of children lost to the residential school system, to honour residential school survivors and their families, and support the legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
Truth and Reconciliation Day, Orange Shirt Day September 30
Video: Reconciliation Day Acknowledgement
Sisters in Spirit - Woman’s Day of Wellness
On October 2 Tony Snow, Chinook Winds Region Indigenous Lead organized a Wellness Day Event to honor MMIWG by giving the opportunity for 12 Indigenous Woman affected by the personal loss of a loved one to attend a day long series of healing sessions. Gloria Snow was the host that day and I assisted him in organizing this event.
The woman were welcomed at the tipi for an opening prayer and settled in the Hospitality Hall following COVID protocol. Our lead facilitator and guest speaker was Indigenous Healer Nellie Rider.
At noon a fire pit and chairs were set up outside by Kyle Snow. The participants enjoyed a hot lunch of beef stew and bannock made and served by Tony. Singer songwriter Wendy Walker (Ashakos Iskwew) played guitar and sang outside at our sharing circle.
Following her lecture Nellie expressed wanting to give a healing session to each attendee. Thank you to our Healing Pathways group for the use of one of their beds. Nellie set up in the Chapel and stayed until the last participant was seen. May I make mention that Nellie passed away mid January, 2022 due to complications of COVID. How blessed we were to have had her beautiful healing presence that day.
The women were then presented with a lovely piece of red fabric that had ribbons sewn on it. Each of them was measured and the skirts were then finished by seamstresses Marilyn Agnew with Ashley Clearsky. During this time Marilyn gave full instructions on how to make a circle skirt with Gloria giving the meaning and importance of the ribbon skirts to Indigenous woman.
Gift bags and Walmart cards and gas cards for out of town participants were given out to all the women attending. The day ended with a sharing circle and closing prayer at the tipi.
Indigenous Cross-Cultural and Anti-Racism Workshop October
On October 19 and 26 the Right Relations group hosted a 4-hour workshop for the leaders, group members and congregation of McDougall. The workshop was hosted by Rev. John Snow with guests Tony Snow, Teresa Snow, and Dieulita Datus. The topics covered were Indigenous history in Alberta, specifically Treaty 7 territory, cultural sensitivity, the UCC’s commitment to becoming an anti-racist church, lateral violence and steps non-Indigenous people can take to be more educated and active in supporting Indigenous groups. The workshop was well received with 25 participants and much active participation.
Indigenous Veterans Day November 8
Video: Indigenous Veterans Day
Annual Food Drive December 19
On Sunday, December 19 McDougall hosted its Second Annual Food Drive. We wish to thank everyone for their generous support.
Much of the food was collected from the congregation by our hosts Ashley and Kyle Snow before the Sunday Service and placed at the tipi. In the afternoon, volunteers received food from parishioners as they drove past the front of the building.
The next day, another group of 10 volunteers sorted all the food and 28 large bags were made up for delivery. We were amazed at the amounts of canned meat and fish that were donated. Many bags and boxes of children’s clothing were received and were then sorted and placed in bins. Our requests to you for toiletries exceeded all our hopes and Tony Snow made 20 small bags that will be delivered this winter to people living on the streets.
Thank you too for the cash donations that amounted to approximately $300. Perishables were purchased to add to the hampers. Tony has reported that all the bags were delivered by him, Gloria, and Teresa Snow to inner-city and local Indigenous families.
Round Dance December 19
Our guests for the day were Ashley Clearsky and Kyle Snow. Kyle is a renowned singer and drummer. He gave us a taste of his singing during the McDougall Sunday Service December 19, 2021. Later he led a Round Dance for those that wanted to gather in community in an Indigenous style.
The Round Dance is a slow-moving, circular dance and is part of a healing ceremony. It is believed that surrounding each other gives support and love through a sharing of grief.
Rev. John Snow spoke of this tradition along with Kyle and Ashley. After teaching the moves of the dance two complete songs were sang, drummed and danced to. Rev. John thanked the 40 participants for attending and for also donating to the food drive.
Video: Indigenous Christmas Eve Service
Video: Elder's Christmas Story - Glenda Crawler
This video is an example language revitalization and preservation, which addresses one of the TRC Calls to Action.
Respectfully submitted by Marilyn Agnew, Lead of Right Relations and Shauna Kennedy, Witness to Reconciliation
To learn more about the Right Relations work happening at McDougall, please visit their webpage.