The final national event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission took place from March 27 to 30 in Edmonton, Alberta. Representatives from the Anglican Church of Canada and its ecumenical partners were among thousands gathered to hear survivor testimonies, celebrate Indigenous culture and resilience, and work toward reconciliation.
On Friday afternoon, the Anglican Church of Canada offered a full colour timeline of the evolving relationship between the church and Indigenous people as its expression of reconciliation. The timeline covers more than 500 years of history and points to hope for right relationship as the TRC process winds to a close in 2015.
This TRC national event also saw the first expressions of reconciliation from Anglican full communion partners, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. National Bishop Susan Johnson offered a copy of a 2011 ELCIC resolution of right relationship with Indigenous people and a clay pot as a symbol of, “all that we must give up for the sake of reconciliation.” The Canadian Council of Churches, an ecumenical body of 25 denominations including the Anglican Church of Canada, also offered an expression of reconciliation. The CCC contributed a statement of solidarity and resources on Indigenous rights and anti-racism.