The second annual Truth and Reconciliation Gathering, sponsored by Siloam Mission, was held May 30-31 at Assiniboine Park’s the Leaf in Winnipeg. The event was created to bring Christians and Indigenous community leaders together to discuss reconciliation and the path to “move forward together.” “Healing and reconciliation are rooted in Christ’s call to repentance, reconciliation, and peace with everyone,” said Siloam CEO Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud of the free event.

The event is a chance for non-Indigenous Christians to hear from Indigenous leaders about what they want and need from churches today.

Some of the topics at the event include: “The healing process and what it takes to forgive,” “Making a commitment to reconciliation,” “What the Anishinaabe teachings around creation tell us about God’s view for reconciliation;” “Understanding the treaties and its framework for reconciliation,” “The Ojibway seven sacred Laws and Christianity;” and “What would Jesus do in response to the 231 calls for justice from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry?”

Tessa Blaikie-Whitecloud stated, “This is a way to strengthen our Christian faith, to help us better live into our faith,” she said, adding “Jesus was such a beautiful role model for us, going out of his way to be loving, accepting, supportive of people, and also to challenge the systems that harm and oppress people.”

The goal of the gathering, she said, is for churches and individuals to come out of the event with a stronger faith and action plans for moving forward, and to “understand Christ’s call to reconciliation and love for neighbours in this context.”

The gathering is the second event of its kind, growing out of Siloam’s own journey of becoming a stronger advocate for reconciliation after the organization was accused in 2020 of neglecting to support Indigenous cultural and spiritual practices.