The Truth & Reconciliation Learning Circle hosts a monthly gathering at the Neighbour to Neighbour Centre, 310 Limeridge Road West, Unit 10 (turn left off Garth) on Mondays from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.  The next meeting is on Monday, Dec. 2 with guest Brenda Jacobs from the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre speaking about Cultural Competency.   Please register with Pam Byers (or ask to be put on her mailing list) at pam.awhamilton@gmail.com.   Chat with Doyne Ahern, Anne Parker or Nancy Willson if you want more information.

The film, Sultans of Sting is playing at the Westdale Theatre for Hamilton and area folks on Sun. Nov. 17 at 7:00 p.m. It is a collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and the talent is supreme. . For tickets: https://www.thewestdale.ca/event/sultans-of-string-walking-through-the-fire-2/ . The following website is a list of other areas in which they are performing or showing the film. https://sultansofstring.com/

 The one who speaks to pictures in the sky I hope you have been able to hear the many tributes to this amazing Anishinaabe statesman, especially his memorial on the CBC on Sunday, Nov. 10th. Rarely are we blessed with such wisdom, sincerity and kindness from our leaders. When he spoke, you knew you would be hearing gems that would touch both your heart and your mind. I look forward to reading his recently published book: Who We Are: Four Questions for a Life and a Nation, available from the public library. The first time I heard him speak in person, almost a decade ago, he posed those four questions:  Where do I come from? Where am I going?  Why am I here?  Who are we?  His death is a great loss to the cause of justice in Canada but fortunately he leaves us with his greatest legacy: The Report of the Truth and…

Here are two books available through the Hamilton Public Library that are worthy of your attention: . Susan M. Hill (2017), The Clay We are Made Of: Haudenosaunee Land Tenure on the Grand River This book was recommended by the Concerned Lay Catholics Book Club that some members of our congregation participate in.  It is essentially a research document, written by Susan Hill from Six Nations, currently faculty member and Director of Indigenous Studies at the University of Toronto. For that reason, it is not an easy read, but well worth it for anyone who wants to understand the significance of the Land Acknowledgement that begins our services and meetings.  In addition to clarifying the integral importance of land to members of Six Nations, the author provides a rich history and background to the various treaties and wampum agreements between the Grand River Haudenosaunee and European settlers. An essential read…

Thanks to all who participated in this trip to the museum of African-Canadian History in Dresden, Ontario on Saturday, Aug. 17th. There were 40 participants: 22 seniors, 13 adults, 5 children/youth. Twenty-four (24) were members. Of the 16 non-members, nine (9) are connected to the church community, seven (7) are from outside this community. Special thanks to all those who completed the evaluation form. We had approximately a 60% return rate from adult/senior participants, assuming that some of the seven couples who attended submitted only one form. According to this feedback the trip was highly successful. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest (indicating the trip met my expectations completely) and 1 the lowest (didn’t meet my expectations), Fourteen people ranked it a 10, One ranked it a 9, Two ranked it an 8, One ranked it a 7. In response to question asking if they would…

Nancy Willson and Vernon Nawagesic attended this event held at Queen’s Park on Wed., Sept. 18th. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/grassy-narrows-mercury-justice-rally-2024-1.7327222

Tanya will be speaking about her new book The Knowing that was featured on CBC and the 8th Principle website a few weeks ago.  This book challenges the history of early colonizers (fur traders/Hudson’s Bay Company) who it has been thought settled fairly and peacefully with Indigenous people. Well worth your time to hear her speak and/or purchase her book: https://playhousecinema.ca/event/in-conversation-with-tanya-talaga

Some of these events will have already happened by the time this is posted in ACE, but if you scroll down there are some very exciting opportunities happening close to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Mon., Sept. 30th) and after that into October. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Events and Resources – Daily News (mcmaster.ca)

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation day is September 30th.    The Hamilton Spectator recently posted (Sept 9) a listing of local events.  Be sure to check out the many ways to honour this special day. . Commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (thespec.com) . Events are being held at the:  Art Gallery of Hamilton Gage Park Spencer Smith Park, Burlington Hamilton Public Library

About Black Culture and History, both available at local libraries.   1. Master Slave, Husband Wife: An epic journey from slavery to freedom Ilyon Woo (2023)  The book is about black history in the United States and Canada, as told through the story of two famous escapees, Ellen and William Craft. In their escape to freedom they met and stayed in the home of Theodore Parker, well-known Unitarian minister in Boston. You owe it to yourself to read this book if you want to understand the historical events that impacted on attempts to escape slavery in the United States and Canada from the mid-1800s to the 19th century. . 2. Black Boys Like Me: Confrontations with race, identity and belonging. Matthew R. Morris (2024)  This is a very current award-winning book about a boy growing up Black in Toronto and becoming a teacher. From the author: This is an examination of the…