We are pleased to invite you to attend this important and groundbreaking reconciliation workshop.
Funding for this project is provided by the James Robertson Memorial Trust of The United Church of Canada Foundation.
Join us on Tuesdays October 19 and 26 from 7-9 pm on Zoom
This two-part session is being offered exclusively to McDougall Staff, Leadership, and the Congregation. There is no cost to attend although we do ask that you commit to attending both sessions.
Instructors: Rev. John Snow, Teresa Snow, Dieulita Datus
During the sessions, you will learn about the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action for churches, the importance of Right Relations and reconciliation work, relationship building, lasting inter-generational effects of Residential Schools, and ongoing experiences of racism and discrimination felt by the indigenous people. Staff, leaders and members of McDougall United will gain cultural knowledge of Indigenous Peoples through education, engagement and conversation.
The workshop is funded by the Chinook Winds Region and the United Church of Canada Seeds of Hope.
Register to attend here
Instructor Bios:
Rev. John Snow: John Snow, Jr. is a direct descendant of Treaty 7 signatories and a member of the Stoney Tribe; he is a sun-dancer and pipe-holder in the Nakoda Tradition. John was educated in Canada, the United States and London, England. He holds an M.A. in Political Science in Public Policy, Law and Administration from the University of Calgary. John is a seasoned speaker, instructor and negotiator for technical oil and gas. He has worked with provincial and federal governments to advise on policy, guided by the Treaties, the TRC, and UNDRIP. John has been able to provide insight on Indigenous ways and history by giving presentations and instructing Indigenous courses for youth to post-graduate, and for the United Church and the Morley Ecumenical Conference. John has served the United Church of Canada as a student minister in Maskwacis, as a member of the Permanent Committee on Finance, Chinook Winds Regional Executive, and the National Indigenous Council. A recent graduate of the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Center Indigenous Ministry Program, John is a Candidate for Ministry with the United Church of Canada and will be ordained in September 2020. He is currently completing his Master of Divinity at Vancouver School of Theology. John is looking forward to being in community and walking in faith together to build a vision for the future.
Teresa Snow: Teresa Snow is a member of the Eyarhey Stoney Nakoda First Nation. Her traditional names are Pretty Eagle Woman and Cold Water Woman. She is a Life Skills Coach, Grief, Trauma & Loss Facilitator, Traditional Parenting Facilitator, Addictions Instructor, Indigenous Curriculum Developer and Designer of Fine Indigenous Art. Teresa is also a mother to four daughters and a grandmother to two grandsons, Phoenix and Carter. She resides in Morley, Ab. with her family.
Dieulita Datus: Born in Haiti, raised in The Bahamas and currently calling Turtle Island home she is a womanish, unapologetic, proud Black Haitian woman. Dieulita is a self proclaimed forever immigrant and always finds a way to connect with the land on which she finds herself as she is a descendent of generations of Haitian rice farmers.
Dieulita is also the co-founder of Ubuntu – Mobilizing Central Alberta, a grassroot community organization in central Alberta. When Dieulita is not out protesting she can usually be seen chasing her five nephews around a playground or watching sports. Go Cowboys! Go Flames Go!
Her favourite quote is by Shirley Chisholm, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair”. As a community organizer Dieulita is always optimistic about the future and believes that every conversation should start with a hug and a smile.