In  Feb / March 2022, St. Mark’s took initial steps to create a Reconciliation Ministry focus by hosting two presentations  by Jim Thunder of “Reconciliation Thunder”. The presentations focused on Canada’s colonization methods (such as the Doctrine of Discovery and the Indian Act), how they have harmed Indigenous people, and the role of churches in some of these methods.

Presentation Recordings

Session 1 (February 27)

Session 2 (March 13)

Session 2 (Presentation Slides) – PDF Version/ PowerPoint version

Reconciliation Workshop – May 7, 2022

Following up to two sessions on the need for reconciliation presented by Jim Thunder, the Social Ministry Committee hosted a workshop to discern what might be recommended to St Mark’s Church Council related to the congregation’s reconciliation work.  Read the Reconciliation Workshop Notes.

Resource Materials Highlighted in Session 2

Jim has recommended the following resources in response to questions posed during the presentation:

In response to the question about speaking to grandchildren: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHHbWIiHcsE

In response to questions about the Indian Act:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC9fRBk7rZk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns5Cgn1pREE

Another video about the Indian Act generally:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhBrq7Ez-rQ

Other Resource Materials

Those interested in doing some reading in advance of the presentation are invited to explore any or all of the following resource materials

Reconciliation Thunder- Timeline

https://reconciliationthunder.org/timeline/

Dear Younger Me: An Open Letter to my Younger Self

https://www.facebook.com/ReconciliationThunder/videos/744305655911055

“Race, Trauma, and the Doctrine of Discovery” – Mark Charles
An excellent 1 hour session which lays a great foundation using Church history

https://youtu.be/fYZ2rj2Jooc

We Don’t Just Need Jesus: Part 1

https://www.andrewkgabriel.com/2021/10/05/indigenous-canadians-dont-just-need-jesus/

We Just Need Jesus: Part 2

https://www.andrewkgabriel.com/2021/11/05/indigenous-reconciliation-requires-jesus-lead/

Faith Today article

https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2021-Mar-Apr/Reconciliation-through-relationships

Christianity Today article

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/quick-to-listen/residential-schools-christians-first-nation-podcast.html

Racism and the Church

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PxJWY1kz_c

Horizon Video Series

https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2022-Jan-Feb/Horizon-launches-reconciliation-videos

Indigenizing the Cooperative Model (This one is useful reading but is not faith-based)

https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/indigenizing-co-operative-model