[At the conclusion of Sacred Assembly '95 there was a Grand
Finale of ceremonials. This re-welcoming ceremony, a covenant of
commitment and co-operation, was a part of those ceremonies on Dec
9. The Sacred Assembly was called by Elijah Harper, M.P.
Churchill, Manitoba.]
Lorraine Land - Council of Christian Reformed Churches in Canada
Here at the Sacred Assembly there has been a very diverse,
beautifully diverse, grouping of people part of which has been both
a Christian presence and a traditional aboriginal presence. There
have been many newcomers to this land who have come from Christian
backgrounds, from other backgrounds as well, but many of the people
who are represented here come from Christian backgrounds. We are
going to start with a statement from people representing the
nations immigrating to Canada that expressed their desire to come
in peace to this new land. Then there will be a traditional
response from elder Ernest Benedict who has written a rewelcoming
poem for this occasion. The two people who will be doing that
initial statement please come forward.
Rick Bowman - Mennonite and Joy Kennedy -
Rick
The Creator, God, made this land and peopled it with many nations.
The Creator taught these first men and these first women how to
live on this land, how to care for it and all that was in it. God
taught them to teach their children these things and their children
taught their children. Many centuries later other peoples and
races came across the oceans to this land. Some came from lands of
persecution and injustice looking for freedom, looking for peace.
Many of them thought it was God calling them to a table prepared
for them in a promised land. They knew that God intended them to
live in harmony with those who were first placed here. They
practised their faith and loved all people with the love of the
Creator, God.
Joy
But others also came. Some came for selfish reasons, taking from
the land without giving back, slaughtering animals far beyond their
need because of greed. They mercilessly exploited the people with
alcohol and evil business practises. Instead of respecting those
who were already here, and living with then in peace and prosperity
for all, as the Creator, God had intended. They often brought
destruction. These were our ancestors. They sinned against the
aboriginal people in so many ways that these sins were visited upon
the people and are now upon the shoulders of the present
generation. Upon us, and will be continue to be passed on until
the circle is broken by repentance, forgiveness, restitution and
exchange of trust, honour and mutual respect. The time for
repentance is now. And so we turn to the Creator, God who made us
all. Let us pray.
Rick
Creator god forgive our ancestors for the sins they committed
against your creation and against all your creatures, especially
against the men and women who you first placed on this land. And
forgive our own generation for the sins that we have committed
against aboriginal people, for the sins of omitting to do the right
things that we should have done. Forgive us now for the different
ways that we still show disrespect for your creation and continue
the theft of land. We ask this in Gods name. Amen.
Joy
And now we ask the children of those first people, many generations
removed. Please, forgive all that was done to your ancestors and
to you. Let us be reconciled one to another so that we may at last
achieve the harmony together the Creator intended. We humbly ask
you, the descendants of those to whom God originally gave this
land, to give your invitation and blessing to the immigration of
our ancestors. And to those who have come in this generation, we
ask you to continue to teach us, recent newcomers, and those who
have been here longer how to better respect the sacred relationship
between the Creator, the people and the land. We submit this to
you.
Ernest Benedict - Traditional elder
Our Mother Earth has given us birth
As she has for many centuries .
She has given birth to all animal creatures
And to all the plant creatures.
For this we are constantly giving thanks.
Other peoples have come across the water
And have come over the great seas.
Our Mother has taken them into her home.
She has treated all her family well.
She has treated all her family as though all were her children.
She will continue to be the Mother of all.
You who have risen up in other lands
Have decided to make your journey
To this our Turtle Island.
You may have endured much pain in those other lands.
Your journey may have been full of dangers and hardships.
But here, you have found a place for yourselves.
And we, have moved into smaller places to make room for you.
Here you will find water
To wash the bruises and thorns from your feet.
There will be water to cool your face
There will be water to quench your thirst.
There will be soft furs to rest upon.
There will be soft doeskin to take away the dust
That has obstructed your eyes, ears, nose and throat.
Now you will see clearly.
You will see the friendship and love of those who are before you.
You will hear voices of comfort.
You will speak without fear whatever is in your heart.
And meanwhile in your nostrils will be the aroma
Of freedom.
You will acknowledge our Mother the Earth as your adopted mother
For such will be your relationship.
You have the honour of giving her
Love and praise and gratitude .
You will give thanks to the Creator of all things
For all the accomplishments of Mother Earth
There are treaties between our nations
Which must be respected, protected and honoured
Under the breath and protection of the Creator
For as long as the sun shines, the rivers flow and the grass grows.
This we will do together,
So that all our steps from this day forth
Will become a path of peace, for our future generations.
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Posted by:
HAROLD P. KOEHLER, 43 NAPOLEON DRIVE, LONDON ON CANADA N5V 4A8
(519)453 5452, Fax 453-3676, E-mail hkoehler@execulink.com