Announcements |
Announcements
MCA Heritage Retreat held June 12
“The Age-old Ways of Local Aboriginal Culture – Songs & Stories: Rituals & Reasons”. On Wednesday, June 12, MCA's annual 1-day Heritage Retreat @ Camp Valaqua featured elder Alvin Manitopyes. The group delved into the culture of our longest-time neighbor, the aboriginal community. Photos by Ruth Bergan Braun Top: Elder Alvin Manitopyes Bottom: Hugo & Doreen Neufeld; Elder Alvin Manitopyes & Ruthanne Friesen |
Walk for Common Ground ends with a feast
Walk for Common Ground ends with a feast  Over 16 busy days, more than 30 Indigenous, union, and church friends walked 360 km in honour of our Treaties, hosting nightly Treaty Talks in 13 different churches and community spaces. It was a powerful, deeply spiritual experience that moved hearts. Some discovered, for the first time, that they are part of a sacred Treaty relationship. Many made commitments to learn and to act. For a short news report on this initiative, see https://aptnnews.ca/2019/06/17/alberta-treaty-talk-walk-ends-with-cheers-and-a-feast-350-kilometres-and-15-days-after-it-started/Some Highlights:       Photos submitted by: Steve Heinrich & Allegra Friesen Epp |
My Day on the Walk for Common Ground
My Day on the Walk for Common Ground by Tim Wiebe-Neufeld  The image on the Treaty 6 flag is striking: the crest shows a European and Indigenous leader engaged in a never-ending handshake, a longstanding and well-understood symbol of mutual agreement. The edge of the crest is lined with words that testify to the longevity of this agreement: “As long as the sun shines, and the rivers flow, and the grass grows.”On this beautiful sunny day in June I ponder these words as I join the Walk for Common Ground for one leg of its journey. The dream of Indigenous leader, Dr. Patricia Makokis, the two-week walk from Edmonton to Calgary has brought together people from a variety of professions, faith communities, and Indigenous groups for conversations centred around what it means to be treaty people. The questions swirl as I learn more about agreements that go back more than a hundred years. How did these agreements shape the Canada in which we live, I wonder? What are the responsibilities--and benefits—that remain in force today? What are our different and often forgotten understandings? And where is there common ground to be found? I spend some time in conversation with others as I walk beside the lush green fields along the road. I can’t help but marvel at the diversity of the group that is walking from Innisfail to Bowden that day. I also marvel at the diversity of opinion. Even among the Walk’s organizers, whether Indigenous or not, there are different perspectives of what actions will lead to a better relationship between Indigenous and Settler people. Yet here we are, walking together, united in the desire for something better. We all believe that a better relationship is possible. Most of those who respond from passing cars and pick-up trucks feel the same way, judging by the number of friendly waves and gestures of support. II Corinthians 5 points out that in Christ, God is reconciling the world to himself. As Christ’s followers, we have been entrusted with this ministry of reconciliation. Perhaps the first step is seeking out places like this to enter the journey together. Photo by Tim Wiebe-Neufeld |
Report Book for Gathering 2019
The Report Book for Gathering 2019 is now available. Check out the article by Pastor Werner DeJong!  |
| Attachments:
Gathering 2019 Report Book Pages-UPDATED.pdf
Gathering Prayer Request
 In a week and a half (June 28-July1), our nationwide MC Canada family will come together for Gathering 2019 in Abbotsford, B.C.
Stay tuned for stories and reports from your Regional Communicators and from the Canadian Mennonite. |
Interview with Cassidy Brown
Day 4 of Walk for Common Ground. Interview of Cassidy Brown by Steve Heinrich, Director Indigenous Settler Relations at Mennonite Church Canada. Cassidy is along for the full 15-day walk from May 31 - June 14. Bergthal Mennonite Church in Didsbury, AB is her home congregation. She currently attends Canadian Mennonite University Walk for a day! Attend a nightly treaty conversation! Visit TreatyTalk.com for a complete schedule or download below. You can follow their May 31 to June 14 journey on the Pilgrimage for Indigenous Rights Facebook page (www.facebook.com/pfirCanada/) or by searching the hashtag #walkforcommonground on most social media platforms. |
| Attachments:
common Ground walk schedule(1).pdf
Transition for International Witness ministry
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Transition for International Witness ministry June 5, 2019 Winnipeg, MB - Jason Martin, Director of International Witness for Mennonite Church  “It has been a privilege working for Mennonite Church Canada and with its great staff team as well as being able to serve in a role deeply connected to international mission,” Jason states. “We are grateful for Jason’s dedication to the ongoing work of International Witness, and in particular for the care and support he has provided our Witness workers during this time of restructuring and transition,” says Henry Paetkau, Interim Executive Minister. “Jason has been instrumental in developing the Witness Support Team model of funding and support for our workers,” he adds, “ensuring the sustainability of our international partnerships and programs.”  workers and give appropriate attention to new and emerging initiatives. -30- Media contact: Katie Doke Sawatzky, kdsawatzky@mennonitechurch.ca |
Introducing the MCA walkers
Introducing the MCA walkers May 31 - June 15 Edmonton (Treaty 6) to Calgary (Treaty 7) Follow the walk on social media #walkforcommonground.  Cassidy Brown (Bergthal)- " Currently, I'm a student at Canadian Mennonite University studying Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies. My mom's side of the family is Metis and I am very passionate about Indigenous rights!" Jacob Froese (Trinity) - Jacob and his wife Verna have four adult children, including one Metis from Treaty 11. Their daughter-in-law and grandchildren are Ojibway.  Caleb Kowalko ( Calgary First)- "Since moving back to Calgary, I have been trying to figure out what it means to be a white settler on lands that were never mine. I am very excited to have an opportunity like this Walk for Common Ground to actually meet new people, forge new relationships and friendships, and go out to walk upon this land while hearing the stories about the peoples, animals and plants that were here for thousands of years." Caleb is pastor at Calgary First Mennonite. Jim Shantz (Edmonton First) - "I'm a retired pastor but presently work PT in MCC Alberta's Indigenous Neighbours program. What has been exciting for me is to see the common connections that have been developing with NE Alberta at Saddle Lake, UnBQ and Tribal Chiefs Ventures." |
Walk [a day] for Common Ground
Walk [a day] for Common Ground The Walk for Common Ground is journeying through Treaty 6 (Edmonton) and Treaty 7 (Calgary), bringing Indigenous, unionist, and church friends together to nurture Treaty understanding and relationship. Anyone can join. See schedule for start time and location. Day walkers will need to bring their own lunch and arrange for transportation for both drop-off and pick-up.  |
Treaty Conversations
Treaty Conversations The Walk
for Common Ground is journeying through Treaty 6 (Edmonton) and Treaty 7
(Calgary), bringing Indigenous, unionist, and church friends together
to nurture Treaty understanding and relationship. Treaty Conversations will be held nightly from 7-9pm. Join the Conversation!  |
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