reconciliation towards right relations

RECONCILIATION TOWARDS
RIGHT RELATIONS
“The truth of our common experiences
will help set our spirits free
and pave the way to reconciliation.”
– Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
BACKGROUND
The United Church of Canada was involved in the operation of 13 Indian Residential
Schools, including one in the bounds of what is now Hamilton Conference. From the mid1800’s until 1996, more than 150,000 First Nations, Metis, and Inuit children were students in
residential schools. The United Church has extended apologies to First Nations peoples
(1986) and to former students of residential schools and their families (1998). In 2008, A
National Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada was given a five-year
mandate to hold national and community events and individual statement-taking/truth
sharing. Three appointed Commissioners heard from former students of Indian Residential
Schools and those impacted by the schools and its legacy. Over 6,000 statements were
received. Statements of abuse, hardship, loss, and healing. Hundreds of statements of
reconciliation were also collected from churches, organizations, and individuals, including
The United Church of Canada (http://www.unitedchurch.ca/files/aboriginal/schools/trc-statement-2014.pdf).
The TRC Commissioners will give their final report with recommendations on June 2, 2015 in
Ottawa. The United Church of Canada will be there.
AN INVITATION TO BE A WITNESS
Witnesses are keepers of history, validating and legitimizing significant events, called to
store, care for, and share the stories. Hamilton Conference is part of The United Church of
Canada right relations journey of reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
peoples and thus called to be witness in the hard places.
Two participants from each presbytery of Hamilton Conference will be selected to go to
Ottawa to be witnesses to the end of the five-year Truth and Reconciliation Commission
mandate, and begin to take next steps toward reconciliation in Hamilton Conference
contexts. In keeping with our right relations commitments at the beginning of the TRC in
2008, one person from each presbytery will be Aboriginal, one person will be non-Aboriginal.
Hamilton Conference and its six presbyteries have committed to subsidizing a significant
portion of the travel expenses. Participants will agree to be responsible for some expenses
(see financial breakdown chart attached).
We invite you to prayerfully consider being part of this journey as The United Church of
Canada, Hamilton Conference presence in Ottawa. If you feel called to be a witness to the
TRC final events and right relations journey beyond, please consider the information in the
attached material. Complete the Expression of Interest and send it in by April 20.
(Living Into Right Relations logo by Susie Henderson, South West Presbytery, Toronto Conference. Used with permission.)
TENTATIVE AGENDA
Friday, May 29
Saturday, May 30
Sunday, May 31
Monday, June 1
Tuesday, June 2
Wednesday, June 3
Date later in June
TBD
Commissioning of selected presbytery participants will
take place at the Hamilton Conference Annual Meeting,
Redeemer College, Ancaster
Travel day to Ottawa by carpool (1 car per presbytery)
Early arrivers may want to participate in the KAIROS
Intergenerational Gathering at Carlton University
Tentative dinner and evening event at City View United
Church with other UCC Conference participants ($25.00
extra)
Check in at hotel
The Walk for Reconciliation organized by KAIROS
Canada (time and location TBD)
Ecumenical worship service either before or after the
Walk (time and location TBD)
Gathering together as Hamilton Conference participants
(time and location TBD)
Educational events hosted by KAIROS and the TRC (at
Carlton University)
Gathering together as Hamilton Conference participants
(time and location TBD)
TRC Final Report (at Ottawa Downtown Delta Hotel)
Tentative: gathering together as Hamilton Conference
participants (time and location TBD)
Check out of hotel
Ceremonial closing of the TRC by invitation (invitations
TBD); community feast
Travel day home
Post-TRC reflections and next steps toward
reconciliation (possibly by Momentum video conference
call)
HAMILTON CONFERENCE TRC PARTICIPANT
INFORMATION
TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY
Presbyteries have agreed to cover transportation mileage costs for
only one car per presbytery, up to a maximum of $500.00 per car. No
additional mileage costs can be covered. Daily hotel parking will be
covered by Hamilton Conference with your basic room costs.
The TRC event venues are in different parts of Ottawa. Transportation between
event venues and your hotel will be at your own expense. Public transportation in
Ottawa is generally excellent. The Walk for Reconciliation route is not yet known but
comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, etc. are recommended.
MEALS
Meals will NOT be provided. All meals will be on your own and at your own expense.
See financial breakdown chart attached. Aboriginal participants can arrange to
receive a per diem meal allowance when they arrive in Ottawa. There are several
restaurant options near the event venues in various price ranges.
ACCOMMODATION
Single rooms have been booked at the Lord Elgin Hotel, 100 Elgin St., Ottawa, Tel:
(613) 235-3333 Toll Free: 1-800-267-4298. http://www.lordelginhotel.ca/index.aspx.
Basic hotel costs May 30 (check in)-June 3 (check out) and daily hotel parking will be
covered by a grant from the Hamilton Conference Investment in Mission and Ministry
Fund. Extra amenities, guaranteed arrival, and room tips will be at your own
expense. If you wish to stay longer you will need to make your own arrangements.
COVENANTAL EXPECTATIONS
It is expected that all participants will:
 Familiarize themselves with the right relations and TRC journey to date with
recommended readings, websites, and/or videos (a suggested resource list
will be provided);
 Participate fully in the TRC events and commit to attending a few gatherings
with other Hamilton Conference participants at set times throughout the event;
 Be committed to long-term right relations work individually and collectively in
their communities and Conference when they return;
 Share their experiences with their respective presbyteries;
 Participate in a post-TRC reflection together to work on next steps toward
reconciliation;
 More importantly, it is expected that participants attend to their own spiritual
and emotional care before, during, and after the TRC. Being a witness to
residential school survivor stories and stories of their families and communities
is a responsibility and an honour. It is also deep spiritual and emotional work.
FINANCIAL BREAKDOWN
May 30-June 3, 2015
(based on equity values for
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants)
WHO
WHAT
$$ WHO PAYS
ALL Hamilton
Conference TRC
participants
4 night basic hotel costs for
May 30 arrival -June 3
departure
Parking at the hotel
Room tips, guaranteed late
arrival, incidentals
Mileage for 1 car per
presbytery $.41 per
kilometre
Covered by Hamilton
Conference
At your own expense
Covered by your
presbytery, up to a
maximum of $500.00 one
car per presbytery.
Submit mileage to your
presbytery secretary
Note to Aboriginal
participants:
Note to Non-Aboriginal
participants:
Travel and parking costs
between event venues, e.g.
City View United Church,
TRC venue, Carlton
University
Breakfasts
Lunches and dinners
(Meals are NOT provided at
the event)
At your own expense
All meals
(Meals are NOT provided at
the event)
At your own expense
At your own expense
Covered by Hamilton
Conference (based on
$40 per diem for lunches
and dinners)
A total 4 day per diem of
$160.00 can be issued
upon arrival.
No restaurant receipts
are required in return.
I Want to Be a Right Relations Witness
May 30-June 3, 2015, Ottawa, Ontario
Expression of Interest
Name:
Mailing address:
Phone:
(work)
(home)
(mobile)
Email:
Pastoral charge/congregation name:
Presbytery:
Identity:
☐ Aboriginal
☐ Non-Aboriginal
☐ I will NOT need hotel accommodation and will make my own
accommodation arrangements at my own expense.
1. My previous Right Relations Experiences:
2. Why I would like to be part of this event of the TRC:
3. What I hope to contribute to right relations in Hamilton Conference when I
return to my church/presbytery:
In case of emergency, please contact (name and phone numbers for work,
home, mobile):
Deadline to receive applications of interest is April 20, 2015.
Note that subsidies can only be provided to two participants per presbytery (one Aboriginal and one
non-Aboriginal person per presbytery). See attached for details.
Email applications to Kim Uyede-Kai, Hamilton Conference Minister for Congregational Support
(kuyede@hamconf.org) or mail to Hamilton Conference, P.O. Box 100, Carlisle, ON L0R 1H0, attn:
Kim Uyede-Kai.