On July 1st, some of us had the opportunity to see 10,000 manifestations of Love in the Healing walk that took place in Victoria Park to honour the thousands of children who had died as a result of the Residential School system.
There was a general sense of respect, gratitude, and kindness among the throngs of people as the Indigenous-led event took place with the drumming, the Gingo dancers, and the little children dressed in their regalia, danced, stepped to the beat of the drum.
Chief Jason Henry, with the ceremonial flags of some of the Anishinabe clans surrounding him, gave a very compelling speech in which he respectfully stated the truth of the Residential School System and the importance of ALL of us working together toward Reconciliation.
The gigantic drum beat in the crowd reminded me of the pulse of Life that flows through all of us, and somehow that was well captured and expressed by the young, old, and all those in between, Indigenous and Settlers alike.
As I was observing the Circle Dance, I felt a breeze coming over me and looked up to see an Indigenous man of about 50, gently fanning me to keep me cool. It was so simple and yet, so profound.
Another Settler woman commented that for her… “Seeing the children and young people gathered gives me the hope that we can build a better Canada. I am compelled to educate myself and just purchased the audiobook “21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act.”
The experience has remained with me and many others since the event took place. Afterward, in a mixed group, one Indigenous woman suggested that we are entering the period of the 8th fire prophecy where Indigenous and Settler will once again live in harmony, caring for the earth together. https://roncesvallesvillage.ca/seventh-fire-prophecy/
“…there has been a talk of an Eighth Fire in which the ancestor prophets say that to light the Eighth Fire Indigenous People will come forward with their knowledge connecting with the western knowledge and from this union a new people will emerge lighting the Eighth and final Fire. This will begin the golden age of peace, explains lead artist and Indigenous art & history educator Phil Cote.
Reflecting further on this image is a source of much hope as the Orange flame that is planted in each of us by Creator is meant to spread throughout the earth as long as we are alive.”
A visual reflection, courtesy of Lindsey Mills. The sculpture is the Spirit Catcher Sculpture on Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie, Ontario
It is as if we are entering into a new period of history as noted by Lindsey Mills in this visual reflection. https://thetransfiguration.ca/2021/06/27/general-announcement-12/
In conclusion, I am grateful and VERY HOPEFUL after having had this experience. I am hopeful because of the young Indigenous leadership that is emerging. I am hopeful that more of us settlers are becoming more educated about the history of this land that is meant to be shared between the Indigenous peoples and us. It is from the grassroots that I believe real change is happening and this is a transfiguration for all of us.
Let us embrace this opportunity to be the change that we really want.
Submitted by Sister Kathleen Lichti, CSJ