{"id":7310,"date":"2022-09-30T14:31:26","date_gmt":"2022-09-30T18:31:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/news\/news-2\/national-day-truth-and-reconciliation-bridges\/"},"modified":"2022-09-30T14:31:26","modified_gmt":"2022-09-30T18:31:26","slug":"national-day-truth-and-reconciliation-bridges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/news\/news-2\/national-day-truth-and-reconciliation-bridges\/","title":{"rendered":"National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Bridges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A major step was taken toward reconciliation this summer when the Pope visited Canada<\/a>. As we carry on walking together in humility, there remains quite a way to go on the road to decolonization!<\/p>\n\n

In the Church, as took place last year, a special Mass will be celebrated to mark this important day. This year, the organizations Mission chez nous and the Centre \u00e9tudiant Beno\u00eet Lacroix <\/em>will be hosting the event on Sunday, October 2, from 6:00 p.m. onwards: https:\/\/www.missioncheznous.com\/une-celebration-unique-en-collaboration-avec-le-cebl\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n

It is not only the Catholic Church, but also the Government of Canada that, on behalf of the Canadian people, takes this occasion to reiterate the need for truth and reconciliation.<\/p>\n\n

What to do?:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The recognition of peoples, of their histories, their dignity and their rights \u2013 these are at the core of the ongoing process of healing and of truth and reconciliation.<\/p>\n\n

Many Indigenous men and women spoke at the beginning of the March for Climate Justice on September 23, putting pressure on society to respect and to protect Mother Earth and to care for the next seven generations.<\/p>\n\n

Julie Lambert, from Pekuakami (Mashteuiatsh or Pointe-Bleue), writes that \u201cbridges still have to be constructed mutually between our cultures.\u201d (Le Progr\u00e8s<\/em>, Sept. 24, p.M9) Ignorance and prejudice are still too common. Education and raising awareness are the keys to establishing dialogue that is informed with mutual respect. She encourages us to reach out and encounter members of the First Nations peoples, to visit museums and take part in cultural and artistic activities\u2026<\/p>\n\n

Education and raising awareness:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The Social Action Office recommends the guidebook published by the Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice, Listening to Indigenous Voices<\/em>. They even developed some supplementary references to illustrate the Quebec context specifically. The guidebook can be used by groups of all kinds or by any individual. See ltiv.ca<\/a> or contact social@diocesemontreal.org<\/a>. Three are three parishes in the English sector of the Archdiocese of Montreal who have begun using the dialogue guide to build bridges across ignorance towards Indigenous people of Canada. Visit this video to hear how one parish priest describes the experience of his parish members with the guide:  https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4PLCoxUSYUU<\/a><\/p>\n\n

In addition, the document Aboriginal Peoples: Fact and Fiction is an essential reference in Quebec: https:\/\/cdpdj.qc.ca\/en\/publications\/mythes-et-realites-peuples-autochtones<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Communities and individuals to meet in the settings where we live:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n