Joint Truth and Reconciliation Action Group (JTARG)

Joint Truth and Reconciliation Action Group

JTRAG


JTRAG News

The Indigenous Day of Prayer Service this year (Sunday, June 18th, 2023) focused on women leaders past and present. Our guest speakers, Grandmother Kathy Brant and Kimberley Debassige shared with us information about the traditional roles of women within the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee cultures, as well as their contributions within the Kingston Indigenous community today.

Following the service, rich conversations and delicious food were shared during the potluck lunch.

Many thanks to members of Edith Rankin, who joined us in the planning and hosting of this event, opening the beautiful grounds for the service, their indoor facilities for the sharing of food and providing the music.

As promised, here is a list of resources, with embedded links for you to explore. 


Suggestions to Explore

First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press; ©2021 by Rain Ministries, Inc.)


Robin Wall Kimmerer (2013). Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, (Minneapolis, MN: Milkweed Editions).

,

Judii Merle (2022). Wabanang: an Anishinaabe granddaughter’s search for the truth (St. Marys, ON: Crossfield Publishing). Meet the author Judi Montgomery on Sundays at the Katarokwi Indigenous Art and Food Market.



Monthly Sacred Fire: In May 2021, the unmarked graves of 215 Indigenous children were found near Kamloops BC. Since then, each month at the Confederation Basin, the Sacred Fire is held to honour all the children, while also focusing on one school as listed through the TRC website. They are committed to continuing the monthly ceremony until all schools have been checked and the bodies of the young relations have been located. By attending, we show our support. Find details on KACIN

 

W.C. Creatives Modern Native Jewelry, Fashion, Arts (Also at Fort Henry) The Indigenous artists are Jaylene Cardinal and Dakota Ward.


Kingston Indigenous Language Nest website (KILN) KILN Facebook page holds workshops from crafts to foraging, as well as language education. Most activities are open to the wider Kingston community. Kathy Brant is one of the founders.


Indigenous Food Sovereignty Garden (IFSG) At 1467 Highway 15, Walking The Path of Peace Together. Indigenous led, fostering biodiversity and cultural activities. Also the home of some Little Forests, fruit guilds, cultural activities, and burgeoning wildlife.

 

Tipi Moza (Iron Homes); Executive Director Winnie Peters. A non-profit urban First Nation, Metis and Inuit housing provider.


Indigenous Training Library (Children and Youth Services Planning Committee) and Indigenous Services Circle--Kathy Brant


Kimberley Debassige’s teaching profile at Queen’s University


Kathy Brant, City of Kingston Grand OnStage Elder in Residence


Katarokwi Grandmothers’ Council

 

All Our Relations Land Trust (AORLT) is a new Indigenous land trust working to foster biodiversity in the Kingston area. They will be the organization to hold the title of the land at 1467 Hwy 15, through the work of Walking the Path of Peace Together. AORLT founded by Maureen Buchanan, Kaitlyn Patterson, and Sheldon Traviss.


Some scenes from the Indigenous Day of Prayer held at Rotary Park on June 19th 2022.

Morning Service with Helena Neveu

Personal Handicraft Gifts Presented to the 3 Churches by Helena Neveu

Members of Faith, Sydenham Street and Chalmers United Churches


Photos by Howard Lopez


 Image: Creating a Dish with One Spoon Wampum 

   Credit: Pat Roebuck


Faith United’s Initiative Towards Reconciliation with our Indigenous Peoples

in partnership with Sydenham Street and Chalmers United Churches


Joint Truth and Reconciliation Action Group (JTRAG)


Members of Chalmers, Faith, and Sydenham Street United Churches in Kingston, Ontario, Canada host the JTRAG, in an effort to understand the history and current situation of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. 

If you are interested in joining the JTRAG or participating in some of its activities, please contact Pat Roebuck (pattygail.roebuck@gmail.com) or Suzanne Savard (savard.sm@gmail.com).

The books are located at Sydenham Street United Church. Rev. Elsdon brings a box of books from the library to Faith United Church services on the last Sunday of the month* to allow members to borrow books. 

 *when the church is offering in-person worship.

If you would like to know more about the goals and activities of the JTRAG, please check out the following:

JTRAG INFORMATION

Click to download the list of holdings in the JTRAG library. Books, pamphlets and DVDs for all ages, related to Indigenous peoples are available for loan.

Download List of Titles

Dedicating the Reconciliation Library

A collection of nearly 100 books, pamphlets and DVDs with about 20-25 items for children.

Situated in the main foyer of The Spire.


The library was established by the Joint Truth and Reconciliation Action Group (JTRAG), supported by Chalmers, Faith and Sydenham Street United Churches, The library aligns with a founding JTRAG goal: “to educate ourselves and others on the legacy of colonialist practices on Canada’s First Peoples.”

It also responds to the Call to Action #57 in the 2015 Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, chaired by the Honourable Murray Sinclair, that calls upon “settlement churches [to] develop ongoing education strategies to ensure that their respective congregations learn about their church’s role in colonization, the history and legacy of residential schools, and why apologies to former residential school students, their families and communities were necessary.”


The Dedication Prayer

by Reverend Catherine Elsdon

January 30th, 2022


Creator God,

source of life, Spirit of Wisdom,

We thank you for the Indigenous voices of wisdom, creativity, and truth

represented in our Reconciliation library,

May this library grow and expand alongside our understanding,

and our commitment to justice and right relationship.

Amen.



Thunderbird Nest by Blake Angeconeb (Anishinaabe, Lac Seul First Nation)

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report: Six Years On


It has been six years since the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This
report from the Yellowhead Institute assesses where we are in that journey of “reconciliation” and concludes that “relationality (which, to our mind, is what reconciliation is trying to achieve) is an ongoing process, not a single event or box to check. Being in good relations means regularly revisiting that relationship to ensure that it is being properly maintained and all parties are doing their part.” 


Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Rulings: Update


On December 14, the Canadian government announced $40 billion in funding for Indigenous child welfare compensation and reform in the fall economic statement. This was done while negotiations with the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and Assembly of First Nations are still ongoing. See the Caring Society’s response to this news
here.
 


Link to the June 20th, 2021 collaborative service between Faith, Sydenham Street and Chalmers United Churches with members of JTRAG, celebrating the National Indigenous Day of Prayer.

National Indigenous Day of Prayer Video
Share by: