Your free printable prepper checklist for the Cowichan Valley · PDF
Faith communities were part of this harm. Saying so plainly is where any honest response begins.
For more than a century, Indigenous children in Canada were taken from their families and placed in residential schools. Many of these institutions were operated by churches, including Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and United Church bodies, under federal policy.
Children were punished for speaking their languages, separated from family and culture, and many suffered neglect, abuse and death. The effects continue today in grief, family separation, health disparities and mistrust of institutions — including churches.
The Cowichan Valley is on the traditional territory of Quw'utsun (Cowichan) peoples, part of the Coast Salish nations. Indigenous communities here carry both the impacts of that history and deep, living strength.
A faith section that talks about mercy while staying silent about harm done in God's name would not be honest. Truth comes before reconciliation.
Survivor testimony is the primary source. Read or listen to it directly rather than to summaries written by institutions.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued 94 Calls to Action in 2015. Several are addressed specifically to churches.
Follow the direction of Indigenous organisations, elders and health services rather than designing help for them.
Reconciliation is a long process. Asking for quick absolution puts the burden back on the people who were harmed.
Some Indigenous people want nothing to do with Christianity, for reasons rooted in this history. That refusal is legitimate and should be respected without argument.
Practical support — housing, food security, health access, language and culture programs — matters more than statements.
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