Past Services

Helping Others

Chad is a Mohawk of Kahnawake, working at Aboriginal Initiatives in conjunction with Corrections Canada as an Assistant Elder and Cultural Facilitator. In his spare time, he is a volunteer fire fighter and first responder, as well as a Pow-wow drum carrier, drummer and singer. In his words, “I try to live my life as a positive role model and inspiration to others.” He was dealt a deck of cards that included many challenges … He says: I would not change them if I could. I accept these, because they are a part of me, just like my left arm, or foot are. They have allowed me the opportunity to grow, test myself and through the knowledge and experience gained – HELP OTHERS.

Ecstatic. Thanks. Giving.

Three words.  Ecstatic Thanks. Giving.  Capitalized.  What do you feel, think, suppose, when these words appear before you?  Where is the pleasure and the pain within these few words?  Where is the challenge and the hope? 
Whether face down in the mud or dancing a jig, may we dare to be lifted by the Spirit and Mystery of Life. This Thanksgiving. May there be Ecstatic Thanks Giving.

Paved with Good Intentions

In his talk, Mark Abley will explore questions that continue to baffle a lot of Canadians. He emphasizes that he will not speak for Indigenous people — they are more than capable to doing that for themselves. Instead he will ask: how could well-meaning Canadians, fifty or a hundred years ago, be so blind as to the nature and impact of the schools? What did the government and the churches believe they were doing? How did they justify their actions, and do these justifications have some resonance for us in 2021?