THE LEGACY OF SILENCE
June has been designated as National Indigenous History Month, with June 21 as National Indigenous Peoples Day. The painful history of European colonization and the subjugation of Indigenous peoples has caused almost irreparable harm to nations, communities, families and individuals of the First Peoples of this land. All too often, the Christian faith and Christian leadership assisted in the decimation of indigenous populations and cultures. This decimation was accomplished through disease and murder. It was accomplished through residential schools and ultimately a sense of deep shame being instilled in many people for being indigenous.
I am a descendent of this shame. Our indigenous heritage was never spoken of nor any remnants of indigenous culture in our family named as such. Our history was hidden. Our ancestors silenced. I honour those ancestors of my family who protected their descendants from danger and death by embracing cultural silence. I remain in awe of the elders, knowledge keepers and leaders who endured this devastating history and proudly maintained a key sense of identity despite all efforts to eradicate them. It is to the latter that I turn now to recover what was lost and reconcile with my current lived experience.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Canada provide 94 calls to action that highlight a path forward. Action items 58-61 outline the first steps churches can take to begin to move toward reconciliation. These include: church apologies must be given; education of clergy reforms to include respect for indigenous beliefs; financial and institutional commitment offset the spiritual violence experienced through projects dedicated to regional dialogues, culture and language revitalization, and healing and reconciliation.
I find myself caught between a faith I adore and a history I condemn. I have looked to my cultural ancestors to find some point of connection between being of indigenous heritage and deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. I discovered such in Chief Henri Membertou Grand Chief (Sagamo) and Spiritual Leader (Autmoin) of the Mi’kmaq. He and his extended family were baptized in 1610 CE. It is recorded that he saw many connections between Mi’kmaq beliefs and Catholic teachings.
Chief Membertou believed in the Creator God Kisu’lk who created all things both physical and spiritual. Mi’kmaq belief holds that nature is sacred and to be honoured. Ceremonies help restore balance, awaken gratitude and connect us to those who came before us. The centrality of elders and leaders are essential for the transmission of faith, culture and knowledge. The afterlife exists life continues in the spirit world. The soul’s journey is connected to how one lived on earth and how we honour relationships with others and nature. This is a glimpse, not an exhaustive list. I find in such the parallels to my Catholic beliefs. I am comforted by the Catholic lives of faith lived by my ancestors from Membertou to the time of my emergence into this world. It is in this way I can honour my ancestors and my Catholic faith.
In this blog post I will offer no prayer. I invite the silence of my ancestors to inspire me to speak and act for reconciliation. In honour of my ancestors, I invite people to enter silence and listen. In doing so, truth will emerge, and reconciliation will be possible.
WELA’LIN (Thank you.)
Michael Way Skinner is a retired Coordinator of Religion, Family Life and Equity
with the York Catholic District School Board. He was a contributing author to World Religions: A Canadian Catholic Perspective, and co-authored There Must be a Pony in Here Somewhere (Novalis, 2020) with his wife, Christine Way Skinner. Michael is a public speaker and award-winning educator who is deeply committed to faith as a source for inclusion and justice.
