Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson asks that Canadians remember in their prayers all those who endured abuse in federally-financed residential schools. At 3:00 p.m. EST today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is scheduled to deliver a long-awaited formal apology from the Canadian Government to all former Aboriginal students.
"I ask that Canadians listen and pray for a process of reconciliation," says Bishop Johnson. "This apology is necessary to the ongoing process of healing for survivors of residential school abuses. We are all being invited to honestly admit the mistakes of history, and to commit to more respectful and fair practice in the future."
A number of events, organized by KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiates, are taking place today throughout the country. These public events will consist of a viewing of the apology, speeches from the Leadership Council and moderated discussions. As this list is being updated throughout the day, please use the contact information below to confirm details as some events may shift.
KAIROS unites churches and religious organizations in a faithful ecumenical response to the call to "do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). The ELCIC is one of eleven member churches of KAIROS.
Watch the apology online:
CPAC: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3§ion_id=21&template_id=1148&lang=e
APTN: http://www.aptn.ca/
CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/news/
Public Events By Region:
British Columbia
The events will be hosted by Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society, First Nations Summit and partnering agencies.
Campbell River – Inter-Tribal Health Authority – 534 Centre Street Nanaimo, BC
Contact: Tammy (250) 713-5038
Nanoose – Tsow Tun Le Lum Healing Society – 699 Capilano Road, P. O. Box 370
Lantzville, BC
Contact: Yvonne Rigsby- Jones (250) 390-3123
Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Center Society – 1607 Hastings Street East
Vancouver, BC
Contact: Sherry Small (778) 238-8117
Cranbrook – Prestige Inn – 209 Vanhorne St., Cranbrook BC
Contact: Dawn Maki or Pauline Eugene, (250) 417-4001
North Vancouver – First Nations Summit – Chief Joe Mathias Centre, 100 Capilano Road, Vancouver BC
Contact: Colin Braker or Michael Watts, (604) 926-9903
Victoria – Victoria Friendship Centre – 231 Regina Avenue, Victoria, BC
Contact: Bruce Persan, (250) 384-3211
Kamloops – Coast Canadian Inn, Grand Ball Room – 339 St. Paul St. Kamloops BC
Contact: Londea Riffel (250) 851-7394
Prince George – Carrier Sekani Tribal Council – Suite 200 – 1460 6th Avenue
Prince George, B.C
Contact: Benna Rathburn, (250) 562-3591
Terrace – North West College – 5331 McConnell Avenue, Terrace, BC
Contact: Dianne Collins, (250) 635-4906
Alberta
“Healing Through Laughter” – Enoch, Alberta – Marriot River Cree Resort
300 East Lapotac Blvd Enoch, Alberta
Contact: Carrie Avveduti, (780) 939-5887 carrieavveduti@yahoo.ca
Health Canada Partner Events – Ft. McMurray Athabasca Tribal Council
9206 McCormick Drive, Fort McMurray, AB
Health Canada Partner Events – North Peace Tribal Council
High Level, AB
Health Canada Partner Events – Boyle Street Community Services
Televise the Apology for those living in the inner-city in a supportive environment.
10116 – 105 Ave., Edmonton, AB
Contact: Jane Slessor, (780) 424-4106
Acknowledgement of Government Apology – Calgary Friendship Center in Partnership with Aspen
Bowness Park, Site #1, Calgary, AB (east end of the park)
Contact: Diane Fiddler, (403) 270-7379
Health Canada Partner Events – Telus Live-Feed to Alberta First Nations Health Centers
Contact: Holli-Anne Passmore, (780) 495-4949
Saskatchewan
Viewing the Statement of Apology and Dignitary Remarks – Treaty Four Governance Centre
740 Sioux Ave S Fort Qu’Appelle, SK
Viewing the Statement of Apology, Guest Speakers and Drummers – Friendship Park, Saskatoon
Contact : Kim Quinney or Lorna Arcand,
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
(306) 665-1215
Manitoba
Televised viewing of Prime Minister’s apology to Residential Schools Survivors
288 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB – Radisson Hotel, Provincial Ballroom
Contact:
Jennifer Wood jwood@manitobachiefs.com
1-888-324-5483
(204) 794-9584
Jerilyn Beepath jbeepath@manitobachiefs.com
1-888-324-5483
(204) 987-4130
Televised Viewing of the Prime Minister’s Apology to Residential Schools Survivors
MKIO Boardroom, 200-701 Thompson Dr., Thompson, MB
Contact: Brandee Albert (204) 677-1600
Ontario
A Step Towards Healing: The Apology From the Prime Minister of Canada
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Tungasuvvingat Inuit
301 Savard Ave., Ottawa ON
Contact: (613) 747-2225
Viewing of Prime Minister Harper’s Apology – Live Broadcast at Algoma University, in participation with the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association (CSAA) and the National Residential School Survivors’ Society (NRSSS)
Great West Life Amphitheater (NW200)
Viewing of the Apology and Community Feast – Chippewas of Sarnia
Contact: Janice Rising (519) 383-0404
A Gathering of Residential School Survivors: “Reflection and Thoughts of the Apology to Residential School Survivors – Nishnawbe-Aski Nation and Dennis Franklin Cromarty Highschool
Dennis Franklin Cromarty Highschool
315 Edward St. North, Thunderbay ON
Contact: Public Enquiries – Sandra Brown (807) 625-4918;
Assembly of First Nations – Events
June 10, 2008: Reception at the Westin Ballroom and Condolence Ceremony at Victoria Island; and
June 11, 2008: Sunrise Ceremony at Victoria Island, Breakfast at AFN Office, Attendance at the Apology at the House of Commons, and Post-Apology Reception at Railway Room, House of Commons
Contact: www.afn.ca
Quebec
Chief Ghislain Picard’s Response to the Apology – will be available online at the FNEC website (www.cepn-fnec.com).
Contact: Eric Duchesneau, (418) 564-1334
Atlantic
“An Experience of Spirit” – Ceremony Honouring the Survivors
Shubenacidie Indian Residential School followed by a walk (4.5km) to Indian Brook First Nation Community Hall
Contact : Paula General, 1-877-667-4007
Yukon
To be confirmed
Northwest Territories
Viewing the Statement of Apology by the Prime Minister
Tree of Peace Friendship Center
5011- 51 St, Yellowknife, NT
Contact: Paula Harker (867) 669-2572
Live Viewing of the Prime Minister’s Apology to Indian Residential Schools Survivors – Fort Providence Residential School Society
PO Box 298, Fort Providence NWT
Contact: (867) 699-3091
Nunavut
Viewing the statement of Apology by the Prime Minister
Cadet Hall, Iqaluit, NU
Contact: INAC Regional Office (867) 975-4743
** To add events to this list, please contact Andy Garrow at garrowa@irsr-rqpi.gc.ca or Chandeep Bajaj at bajajc@irsr-rqpi.gc.ca.
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 174,555 baptized members in 620 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.
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