Native Ministry 1- Native Parishes 1- Berens River I.R. (Our Lady of the Snow), (1913) Anglophone P.O. Box 132 Berens River MB R0B 0A0 204-382-2069 Fax: 204-382-2069 Sunday: 11:00 a.m. 2- Bloodvein I.R. (St. Margaret), (1913) Anglophone Chaplaincy served from Berens River Telephone and Fax: 204-382-2069 (Berens River) Bloodvein MB R0C 0J0 or: 204-395-2054 Sunday: 11:00 a.m. 3- Fort Alexander Sagkeeng I. R. (St. Alexandre), (1890) - Anglophone 387 South Shore Road 204-367-2561 Fort Alexander MB R0E 0P0 Fax: 204-367-4555 Email: stalex@granite.mb.ca Postal Address P.O. Box 2 Fort Alexander MB R0E 0P0 Parochial Administrator: Fr. Malachy Ekezie, SMMM Cell: 204-345-3600 Parochial Assistant: Fr. Augustine Ezedeniru, SMMM Cell: 204-881-0025 Sunday: 10:00 a.m. 1
4- Hole (Hollow) Water I.R. (Sacred Heart of Jesus) - Anglophone Chaplaincy served from Fort Alexander 204-367-2561 (Fort Alexander) Email: stalex@granite.mb.ca Parochial Assistant: Fr. Malachy Ekezie, SMMM Fr. Augustine Ezedeniru, SMMM Sunday: during Winter - 10:00 a.m. Sunday: 1st, 3rd, & 5th during Summer - 1:00 p.m. 5- Little Grand Rapids I.R. (St. John the Evangelist), (1944) Anglophone Chaplaincy served from Berens River Telephone & Fax: 204-382-2069 (Berens River) Sunday: 11:00 a.m. 6- Manigotagan I.R. (St. Louis, King of France) - Anglophone Chaplaincy served from Fort Alexander 204-367-2561 (Fort Alexander) Email: stalex@granite.mb.ca Parochial Assistant: Fr. Malachy Ekezie, SMMM Fr. Augustine Ezedeniru, SMMM Sunday - Winter: 12:00 noon Sunday - Summer: 2nd & 4th Sundays: 1:00 p.m. 7- Pauingassi First Nation - Anglophone Mission served from Little Grand Rapids 204-397-2410 (Little Grand Rapids) 8- Poplar River (St. John Bosco) - Anglophone Chaplaincy served from Berens River 204-382-2069 (Berens River) Sunday: 11:00 a.m. 2
2- reconciliaction Group A Return to the Spirit of Who We Are Our message is that God was making all mankind his friends through Christ. God did not keep an account of their sins, and he has given us the message which tells how he makes them his friends. 2 Cor. 5:19 Returning to Spirit (RTS) is a non-profit organization, created by an Aboriginal man and a Sister who wanted to reconcile the first Nations and the Church faced with the heritage of residential schools. To achieve this, the process is lived in two steps: the return to the Spirit and the reconciliation. In February 2012, the reconciliaction group from Université de Saint-Boniface, lead by Sr. Norma McDonald, hosted the first step of Returning to Spirit. The five-day workshop transformed our lives! It was a spiritual deepening: a return to the spirit of who we are. We also learned, through a healthy process of communication, to reconcile with others. The ultimate goal was to live a reconciliation process with residents of residential schools and their descendants who suffered the repercussions. On February 18 to 22, 2013, the reconciliaction group of Saint Boniface Archdiocese, with laity, a deacon, four priests and Archbishop James Weisgerber of the Winnipeg Archdiocese, as well as members of Hollow Water First Nations, participated in a reconciliation workshop held at St-Paul s College, University of Manitoba. This second step of the process of RTS helped us to enter in a profound reconciliation with others. This journey was such an unforgettable experience that it must be shared with all! Both workshops were possible with the support of The Winnipeg Foundation. To participate in the reconciliation process offered by Returning to Spirit, visit www.returningtospirit.org. To learn more about reconciliaction contact Sr. Norma McDonald at nmcdonald@ustboniface.ca. Janelle de Rocquigny For the group réconciliaction Université de Saint-Boniface 3
3- Projet réconciliaction - A Two-Year Journey of Reconciliation with First Nations Since September 2011, Projet réconciliaction has gathered students and staff of Université de Saint- Boniface to increase their awareness about the socio-cultural and political issues, past and present, resulting from the Indian Act, particularly the repercussions of the Residential School System. The goal of this project is to forge relationships between Aboriginals and non-aboriginals so as to promote healing and reconciliation. For the past 2 years, the réconciliaction group has attended many workshops, presentations and events. It developed long-lasting ties with Hollow Water First Nation in Manitoba. It also participated in Returning to Spirit, a non-profit organization whose mission is to transform the negative legacy of Residential Schools. The group attended both the 5-day Workshop and the Reconciliation Workshop. By the end of the Reconciliation Workshop, we were no longer Aboriginals and non-aboriginals, we were people, stated Myriam Dupuis. Each one of us was unique, alive, loveable and beautiful. We were transformed. The project culminated with a solidarity trip to British Columbia. From May 7 to 23, a group of six women, led by project coordinator Sister Norma McDonald, c.s.c., went to meet and reconcile with members of First Nations communities, primarily on Vancouver Island. With the Tla-o-qui-aht community, a day of ceremony was organised to honour Residential School survivors and their families. The réconciliaction delegation met with survivors as well as second and third generation survivors. Unbeknownst to many attending this event, children attending residential schools were stripped of their name and given a number. Participants were asked to wear their own number or the number of a relative. The most powerful moment for me was for us, non-first Nation, to take off their numbers, said Sr. Norma. This journey has transformed the lives of each member of the Projet réconciliaction to be agents of change in the world. I know that I can have a positive impact on people s lives and that Projet réconciliaction is the instrument through which I can make my country a better place, affirmed Myriam Dupuis. 4
Projet réconciliaction has not ended. Mentored by those who have already accomplished this journey, a new group of students and staff will be encouraged to join the movement to create healing and reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-aboriginal Peoples. For more information about this project, contact Sr. Norma McDonald, c.s.c., at nmcdonald@ustboniface.ca. Janelle de Rocquigny For the réconciliaction group Université de Saint-Boniface To read this article which appeared in the Prairie Messenger, click here. 5
4- RéconciliACTION : Funding Project Click here to read about the RéconciliACTION Funding Project. 5- Returning to Spirit Residential School Healing and Reconciliation Program Returning to Spirit (RTS) is a non-profit organization that designs and delivers workshops and training programs for reconciliation within the context of residential school issues. Our focus is on moving people forward through the principles of personal empowerment. Our work goes beyond healing. It provides conditions for transformation in personal, family, community, and organizational life. The Returning to Spirit training program is unique and cutting edge in its approach to healing and reconciliation. It is a three-part training program that involves both First Nations and Religious communities. It is highly recommended for individuals to complete all workshops of the program, however, it is not a requirement. Both groups complete a similar workshop though separately in Part I and Part II. Part I: is a 5-day intensive workshop with First Nations only. Part II: is a 5-day intensive workshop with the religious communities and non-first Nations individuals. Part III: A. Both groups complete a 2-day workshop based in communication, separately, preparing them for the coming together. B. Both groups come together for a 3-day workshop for communication and completion. 6 To read more, view the Returning to Spirit website: http://www.returningtospirit.org/