Beltline church repaints doors, but says truth and reconciliation action isn’t over

Beltline church repaints doors, but says truth and reconciliation action isn’t over

by

“The red paint has been a push for us to really commit to the journey of truth, healing and reconciliation, and we’re committed to that.”

The Rev. Tony Snow of the Stoney Nakoda Nation and Jake Van Pernis, Associate Minister for Engagement and Service, pose at Grace Presbyterian Church on 15 Ave SW in Calgary on Sunday, September 25, 2022 during a red paint ceremony and prayer painted, a ceremony and prayer led by indigenous people.
The Rev. Tony Snow of the Stoney Nakoda Nation and Jake Van Pernis, Associate Minister for Engagement and Service, pose at Grace Presbyterian Church on 15 Ave SW in Calgary on Sunday, September 25, 2022 during a red paint ceremony and prayer painted, a ceremony and prayer led by indigenous people. Jim Wells/Post Media

After more than a year, the front doors of Calgary’s Grace Presbyterian Church won’t be covered in red paint splatters.

But church leaders say the decision to repaint the doors, defaced last year in a protest following the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves in residential schools across Canada, does not mean the end of their actions toward the truth. and reconciliation.

“The red paint has been a push for us to really commit to the journey of truth, healing and reconciliation, and we are committed to that,” Grace Presbyterian Church associate minister the Rev. Jake told Postmedia on Sunday. Van Pernis.

“(We are) building relationships that allow us to continue to listen and learn, and help bring the truth out and help reconciliation happen in a way that is meaningful to everyone involved.”

Parishioners of the Beltline Church gathered Sunday afternoon after their usual morning service for a ceremony to mark the repainting of the doors to their original cream color.

The event included a prayer and smear by Aboriginal minister Rev. Tony Snow with the Chinook Winds Region of the United Church of Canada. Some attendees wore orange T-shirts, symbolic of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.

Reverend Tony Snow of the Stoney Nakoda Nation speaks to a small gathering on the front steps of Grace Presbyterian Church on 15 Ave SW in Calgary on Sunday, September 25, 2022 during a ceremony and prayer for the painted red paint , an indigenous- Led Ceremony and Prayer.
Reverend Tony Snow of the Stoney Nakoda Nation speaks to a small gathering on the front steps of Grace Presbyterian Church on 15 Ave SW in Calgary on Sunday, September 25, 2022 during a ceremony and prayer for the painted red paint , an indigenous- Led Ceremony and Prayer. Jim Wells/Post Media

Grace Presbyterian Church was one of at least 10 churches in Calgary splattered with paint on Canada Day 2021.

The vandalism was believed to be a manifestation related to the legacy of Canada’s residential school system, which indigenous children were forced to attend after being forced to be separated from their families. At that time, more than 1,000 unmarked graves had been confirmed at the sites of former residential schools, a number that has since increased.

The church decided to leave the painting on the doors in hopes of furthering conversation about residential schools in Canada.

Around 2 a.m. on Aug. 29, two unknown individuals partially painted over the red paint on the door with tan paint, Van Pernis said. That motivated the decision to completely repaint the door.

“The decision about what to do with the doors had been somewhat contentious both in Grace’s congregation and within the community,” he said.

“In the spring, we hope to have a memorial marker that shares about the journey we’ve been on and will continue to do, and continue to do things to help people listen and learn and engage with each other and with peoples. natives”.

More than 130 government-funded, church-run residential schools operated in Canada between 1831 and 1996.

The Presbyterian Church of Canada operated a number of such schools until 1969. In 1994, the church issued an apology for its role in the residential school system.

The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day to anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of a residential school experience. Support is available at 1-866-925-4419.

— Archived by Madeline Smith

[email protected]

Twitter: @jasonfherring

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil discussion forum and encourages all readers to share their thoughts on our articles. Comments can take up to an hour to be moderated before appearing on the site. We ask that you keep your comments relevant and respectful. We’ve enabled email notifications – you’ll now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there’s an update in a comment thread you follow, or if a user you follow comments. visit our Community Principles for more information and details on how to adjust your E-mail settings.


Leave a Comment