Supporting Indigenous organizations

This is the third blog post in a row that features Indigenous themes and voice, and I think it is fitting for this time of year that focuses on uplifting Indigenous Peoples and their cultures. Orange shirt day, Indigenous Peoples day, summer festivals and powwows, and now as you may be aware, the government recently passed legislation to make September 30th a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Government of Canada is committed to reconciliation and ensuring that the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools is never forgotten. Faith groups and churches should also be committed to this learning and remembrance, so we should all consider what we might do and how we can be involved on the first ever upcoming stat holiday on September 30, 2021. 

Some diaconates are talking about taking a special collection to support an Indigenous Organization, others are watching for events they could participate in and as allies, settler heritage Canadians could consider new ways to invest time, energy and resources into forming relationships with our Indigenous kin. Here is a list (not exhaustive and in no particular order of preference) of Indigenous Organizations you could consider supporting personally or as a church:

Educational: North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies (NAIITS), Blue Quills University, Yellowhead Tribal College, Keyano Clearwater Campus (Fort McMurray), Amiskwaciy Academy (Edmonton)...

Friendship Centres: Edmonton Native Healing Centre, Canadian Native Friendship Centre, Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association, Indigenous Family Centre (Winnipeg CRC), Edson Friendship Centre, there is also one in Fort McMurray, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House and probably more...

Multimedia: CFWE The Raven radio, APTN Indigenous TV network, Tribal Trails Indigenous TV series, CKUA.com/indigenouspathways, Alberta Sweetgrass, Windspeaker, Native Journal, Alberta Native News, The Metis Messenger, BearPaw Media and Education, podcasts called Our Native Land and Peacing it all Together...

Family and Community services: Native Counselling Services of Alberta, Bear Clan Patrol, Ben Calf Robe Society, Bent Arrow, Poundmaker's Lodge Treatment Centres, Iskwew Health, Crossroads Resource Centre and Women's Shelter (Fairview), Creating Hope Society...

Action, Activism and Outreach: Indigenous Climate Action, Keepers of the Water, North American Indigenous Ministries (NAIM), Word of Hope Ministries, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations...

While the above list has a lot of options and covers national as well as organizations found in our Classis and province, I have probably missed one that you may know and love. You can find many online or at the following government of Alberta link (open.alberta.ca/dataset/1e38502a-550b-4351-86cf-10cc5f393f93/resource/3bae701e-0e72-49bf-ba16-2a3901bf6534/download/guide-indigenous-organizations-services-alberta.pdf).

If there is one you would like me to add, or one in particular that you would like to know more about, please contact me at yournadc@gmail.com