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Perhaps the Children
Will Lead Us

Last Saturday the Remembering the Children Society invited us to the annual ceremony at the Red Deer Cemetery to remember the children who died at the Red Deer Indian Industrial Residential School. Mayor Ken Johnston read the proclamation again, declaring June 11 Remembering the Children Day in Red Deer. Elder Maggie Loney gently and
beautifully opened our time together, and Lyle Keewatin Richards invited us to participate in a sharing circle. Both Indigenous people and settlers shared what brought them to the gathering. Welistened to one another, we shared feelings of grief and dismay, but amongst it all there was also a sense of hope.

It is through these sharing circles and the sharing of our stories that we begin to see a path forward. It is a long and difficult road toward reconciliation, but perhaps the tragic stories of these children will lead us, and guide us, and keep us on the path together.

This Sunday is the closest Sunday to the Summer Solstice and so it is time once again for Lyle to respond to our land acknowledgement and care for the eagle feather in our sanctuary with asmudge. June 19 is also recognized within the United Church of Canada as Indigenous Day of Prayer, and so I have invited Lyle to talk with us about the significance of this Indigenous History Month, the important work of remembering the children here in Red Deer, and the relationship Sunnybrook United shares with the Remembering the Children Society.

This story is all about opening our hearts to one another and honouring the intention to continue growing our relationship together, until all may be one.

Peace and joy,
Nancy