Honouring the Truth Reconciling for the Future

The challenge of reconciliation • 287study and analyze “issues related to Catholic Aboriginal spirituality and education”;encourage “Aboriginal leadership in the Christian community”; support and promote“reconciliation in the context of the Catholic reality”; and serve “as an important linkbetween Aboriginal Catholics and non-Aboriginal Catholics.” 94The Commission notes that all the Settlement Agreement churches have recognizedthe need to provide theological education and training for Aboriginal church membersto take leadership positions within the churches and work in Aboriginal ministryprograms. Beginning in 2007, the Churches’ Council on Theological Education inCanada held a series of conferences that sought to encourage and deepen the explorationof questions with respect to Indigenous and Christian beliefs and the incorporationof Indigenous cultural and spiritual practices into Christian practices. Throughthese events, the council also sought to challenge post-secondary institutions to considerhow best to prepare theological students for ministry in Canada, in considerationnot only of Indigenous people, their culture and spirituality, but also of the needfor churches to engage in healing and reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginalpeoples.The Toronto School of Theology made a public commitment to giving the sameacademic respect to Indigenous knowledge, including traditional Indigenous spiritualteachings, “as [to] traditions of Greek philosophy and modern science.” 95 Thispledge was made at “The Meeting Place,” an event co-sponsored by Council FireNative Cultural Centre and the Toronto Conference of the United Church of Canadain June of 2012.Yet, more remains to be done in education and training with regard to reconcilingIndigenous spirituality and Christianity in ways that support Indigenousself-determination. Writing in 2009, the former Archdeacon for the Anglican Churchand founding member of the Indian Ecumenical Conference, Rev. John A. (Ian)MacKenzie, said,Most urgently, churches need to consider opening a serious dialogue withAboriginal theologians, doctors, and healers who represent … the NorthAmerican intellectual tradition.… [Aboriginal peoples] call for recognition ofthe truth of past injustices and respect for their civilizations. Most of all, this isa call for respect for their traditional religious thoughts and practices. The onlylegitimate North American intellectual tradition comes from the diverse tribalsocieties in our midst!...Sustainable reconciliation will only take place when every Canadian seminaryincludes a course on Aboriginal religious traditions; when every congregation… reflect[s] on North American intellectual tradition by initiating and invitingAboriginal religious leaders to lead such discussions … when Aboriginal peoplesachieve real self-government within their churches; and when Christiantheology not only respects Aboriginal thought, but learns from it. 96