Indigenous residential schools caused generational trauma. How shall we atone?
A fellow Bethel College alum once told me he “would rather have 50 2% solutions than two 50% solutions.” I think there’s wisdom in this idea — wisdom we can apply to economic and racial justice.
From 1962 to 1991, Mennonite-related organizations operated residential schools for Indigenous people in northwestern Ontario. On March 6-8, 30 survivors from those schools gathered in Dryden, Ont., to tell their stories and begin their healing journeys.
Life in First Nations reserves can be tough. Yet not all is grim on the reserve. In fact, spending a few weeks in a couple of these communities has been renewing and refreshing.
September 30th was Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Day. It is a statutory federal holiday held in remembrance of residential school victims and survivors.
“Wooh, wooh, wooh.” With each rhythmic sound, the man in the center raised and lowered his arms. A young woman joined next, adding a pointing motion and a higher “oooh” between each beat.
Conflicting stories regarding the clearing of Peruvian rainforests for agricultural usage have resulted in criminal charges against nearly four dozen Low German Mennonite men and allegations of attacks and arson by local Indigenous groups.
The Indigenous Batwa people of the Democratic Republic of Congo suffer discrimination and inhumane treatment by the Bantu majority.
Peace Academic Center, formerly Hopi Mission School, in Kykotsmovi, Ariz., closed last fall, and the property is being transferred to the Hopi tribe.
Freeman Academy hosted an Indigenous People’s Celebration Oct. 16 that brought together six schools to make connections with tribal groups and learn about Dakota, Nakota and Lakota life, pursuing the Lakota phrase Mitakuye Oyasin (we are all related).
