Truth and Reconciliation
background
First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in Canada have suffered untold travesties since first contact on Turtle Island, and these abuses and racist ideologies continue today, having been imprinted into the very fabric of Canadian society, including laws and governance structures.
Weird Church is held under the umbrella of the United Church of Canada (UCC), one of the denominations that perpetuated the legacy of the Residential School System. The UCC apologized for it’s part in the system in 1986 and 1998 and is actively seeking a way forward to make positive change in the future relations. You can read more about that HERE.
Weird Church
Weird Church, from it’s inception in 2018, has been rooted and grounded in justice. We have been clear and concise in articulating our desire for equity, equality, and inclusion in all that we do. That said, we have not - beyond recognizing whose land we operate on - sought direct community building with Indigenous Peoples represented in our area.
Why Now?
Our community was challenged to take action in moving ahead in breaking down our own personal and structural colonial imperatives and assumptions and to move ahead in the ways of Truth and Reconciliation.
what do we do?
We have some seed money to begin this journey, and our group meets the second Saturday of every month at 12:30pm to discuss how to move forward in good ways, making Truth and Reconciliation a center point of who we are and how we make decisions.
Sign up now to be a part of this work
Book Studies
April 2023
Everyone in the community is invited to read “Monkey Beach” by Eden Robinson and/or watch the movie on CBC Gem and join in on the discussion Thursday April 27 @ 7:30pm on Zoom, suing the Sunday Service link at the top bar of the website.
February 2022
This month we are reading together, “Five Little Indians” by Michelle Good.
We encourage anyone from Weird Church and beyond to read the book and join in the community wide discussion Wednesday February 16th at 6:30pm on Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82391798508?pwd=VDl3M2d6aVg3NUJjVUlpeDcxbnpqdz09
Meeting ID: 823 9179 8508 Passcode: 405142
November 2021
The Weird Church Truth & Reconciliation Team current book study is “Indian in the Cabinet ” by Jody Wilson-Raybould.
We encourage anyone from Weird Church and beyond to read the book and join in the community wide discussion Thursday November 18th at 7pm at 2688 Penrith Ave. (this will be a hybrid event and those unable to join us in person may also join us via Zoom using the link below.)
**please note: mask wearing is required**
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82391798508?pwd=VDl3M2d6aVg3NUJjVUlpeDcxbnpqdz09
Meeting ID: 823 9179 8508 Passcode: 405142
September 2021
Our current book study is “21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality” by Bob Joseph.
We encourage anyone from Weird Church and beyond to read the book and join in the community wide discussion Thursday September 23rd at 7pm at 2688 Penrith Ave. (this will be a hybrid event and those unable to join us in person may also join us via Zoom using the link below.)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82391798508?pwd=VDl3M2d6aVg3NUJjVUlpeDcxbnpqdz09
Meeting ID: 823 9179 8508 Passcode: 405142
April 2021
Weird Church Truth & Reconciliation Team Book Study: “Johnny Appleseed” by Joshua Whitehead. Read “Johnny Appleseed” during the month of April, and join in the discussion Tuesday April 27th at 6:30pm. Anyone is welcome to join.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82391798508?pwd=VDl3M2d6aVg3NUJjVUlpeDcxbnpqdz09
Meeting ID: 823 9179 8508 Passcode: 405142
February 2021
Weird Church Truth & Reconciliation Team Book Study: “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Tuesdays @ 6:30pm on Zoom
Schedule:
February 2: Section 1, Planting Sweetgrass (pp.3-59)
February 9: Section 2, Tending Sweetgrass (pp. 64-117)
February 16: Section 3, Picking Sweetgrass (pp. 121-204)
February 23: Section 4, Braiding Sweetgrass (pp. 205-302)
March 2: Section 5, Burning Sweetgrass (pp. 303-379)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84872959558?pwd=MzQ3VlFzejVDRkJwS0F4a1RyWW10Zz09
Meeting ID: 848 7295 9558
Passcode: 632162