Practicing Reconciliation
The practice of prayer offers a window into the very heart of God. As we meet with Jesus in times of solitude, and of communal conversation, we see more deeply how prayer has less to do with God making what we think is best happen, but more with how He wants to transform our hearts in a good way.
This year, beginning in Kamloops, we lament and grieve what Indigenous people have known for decades, and was only recently realized by the rest of Canada - unmarked graves of children who never made it home from residential schools across the country. As you consider your personal response, we invite you to continue in prayer and to move slowly and deeply through that practice. Let that act transform your own heart and increase your capacity to learn from another. Here is a learning and prayer guide that beautifully pairs the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's 94 Calls to Action. You'll want to view the prayer guide in its electronic format as it's full of insightful articles, media clips, reports, artwork, and more.
Tricia Maughan wrote the original version of this prayer guide, and shares her reflections:
What inspired you to create the Truth & Reconciliation prayer guide?
I was working as the Youth Mentor Coordinator for an Aboriginal Centre on Vancouver Island. When the 94 Calls to Action came out, I started reading it. I was moved and overwhelmed at how much healing needed to be done for reconciliation to occur. The commission was called Truth and Reconciliation. Those are words that readily describe the person and work of Christ. I knew many people were doing excellent work but realized a lot of prayer was needed for reconciliation to occur. I decided to start writing a prayer for each Call to Action. Although I have a History degree and worked with Indigenous Peoples, things were referenced which I didn't know about, so I started researching and calling people to get answers. I put those links and citations in the guide. This project of prayer was getting rather large. I decided that if I was putting all this effort into it, I should see if anyone else would be interested in it. I initially contacted Ambrose University because of a prof I knew. He was interested. Somewhere, somehow, I was connected with Joanne Beach [from the Christian & Missionary Alliance]. She had Indigenous Christians edit what I wrote to ensure accuracy and to re-word phrases that were unintentionally colonial. She then had her people make it into the current layout that exists.
How would you recommend someone to incorporate this guide into their prayer life?
There are different ways it can be used. Some people take 94 days and commit to one prayer each day. Some select a sub-topic that is either in their profession or that they are passionate about. For example, a physiotherapist may concentrate on health reform, a teacher on education reform, a coach on organized sport reform. Some small groups have committed to praying together when they meet. Some Christian schools are using it for their devotions or in History class.
What’s one way you are practicing reconciliation in your day-to-day life?
It has taken me some time to figure out what to do here in Ontario. The area I live in does not have a strong Indigenous presence (they were pushed out hundreds of years ago). I have had to work hard to find and establish trusting relationships with Indigenous People. My aunt's best friend is literally the only Indigenous person in our town. I go out for coffee with her and she has given me permission to ask her ANYTHING. She has graciously and patiently answered all my questions, some of them really personal. I have also started building a relationship with a young Indigenous leader named Joe. Pre-pandemic, I would drop by the Friendship Centre in the city with coffee and he and I would chat and brainstorm. My pastor has given me the freedom to pursue reconciliation ideas with Joe. Our church, with Joe, planned a "Question Joe and his Mom" night. It was to be a time where people could ask them anything, as long as it was asked with good intentions. Joe arranged with an elder to take interested people from our church on a hike to help us see the natural world from an Indigenous perspective. As a History teacher, I am always researching ways in which to decolonize the classroom.
Read the TRC Prayer Guide: https://www.cmacan.org/trc-prayer-guide/
Tricia Maughans is a wife and mother of an 18 and 16-year-old, and is currently a substitute teacher in the public school system. Born and raised in the Niagara Region, she went to Lakehead University in Thunder Bay which was the first time she interacted with Indigenous people and Indigenous issues.