Thousands of Aboriginal People Converged on Ottawa

By Rev Ed Hird

We will never forget the Forgiven Summit in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada at the Ottawa Civic Centre.  My wife and I, with thousands of others from across Canada, travelled to our nation’s Capital to share in this historic gathering convened by Chief Kenny Blacksmith. I had the privilege of meeting with Chief Kenny Blacksmith and Chief Linda Prince back in January 2010 when the Journey of Forgiveness began.

 

Being struck by Chief Kenny Blacksmith’s powerful message of forgiveness, I knew that we needed to be there that June for the Forgiven Summit.  Only God knew what was going to happen this weekend, but I had sensed that there will be a great breakthrough for our nation of Canada. God is doing a powerful work of reconciliation and restoration for all the people groups in Canada, both the first peoples and the later peoples whom God has brought to this great land.

         In Christ, Ed Hird+

         http://www.battleforthesoulofcanada.blogspot.com

News Updates

June 10, 2010 Thousands of Aboriginal People Converging on Ottawa to Respond to Prime Minister’s 2008 Apology NATIONAL FORGIVEN SUMMIT BRINGS HOPE   OTTAWA, June 10 /CNW/ – Thousands of Aboriginal individuals are assembling in Ottawa to release this weekend the forgiveness that Prime Minister Stephen Harper requested in 2008. The Prime Minister concluded his apology for Indian Residential Schools by requesting “the forgiveness of the aboriginal peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly.” “At that moment” says Chief Kenny Blacksmith, “the onus was placed on our people as individuals to respond. The only way to come into our full healing as the First Peoples of Canada is to forgive. Forgiveness is not political; it cannot be bought or sold; it cannot be legislated. It is an individual choice that can break the generational cycle of victimization and accusation.” Blacksmith meets tomorrow with Prime Minister Harper, who cannot attend the event on account of international obligations, but has been very supportive, and will address the Summit via video on Saturday. The National Forgiven Summit comes out of the vision and leadership of Chief Blacksmith, a residential school survivor, former Deputy Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees of Quebec, and founder of Gathering Nations International. “Vision is not reactionary to the past,” says Blacksmith, “but we have to release ourselves and others from the burden of the past so we can look with hope to the future.” The Summit runs from Friday to Sunday evening at the Ottawa Civic Centre. Open to the public, it is also drawing hundreds of non-Aboriginal people, government leaders, and international observers to witness this historic moment. The response aims to bring healing and freedom to those negatively affected by the legacy of the Indian Residential School system. On Saturday, Chief Blacksmith, in the company of youth and elders from across the country, will present a Charter of Forgiveness and Freedom to the Government and people of Canada. Authored by residential school survivors, elders and youth, this Charter will be signed by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal adherents and witnesses throughout the weekend. Cabinet Minister Chuck Strahl will be present to accept the Charter on the government’s behalf. A Press Conference will be held at 3:30pm on Saturday June 12, 2010 at the Ottawa Civic Centre with Minister Strahl and Chief Blacksmith. To attend the Summit as media, please visit the website to access the Media Guide. The Summit can be viewed by live webstream at www.i4give.ca  and www.nouspardonnons.ca .   For further information: For Media Inquiries contact: Shauna Simmonds, Media Relations, National Forgiven Summit, shauna@i4give.ca, 647.244.1486; For National Forgiven Summit Inquires contact: info@i4give.ca Aboriginal Canadians Prepare to Respond to the 2008 Apology June 08, 2010 Aboriginal Canadians Prepare to Respond to the 2008 Apology THE NATIONAL FORGIVEN SUMMIT TAKES PLACE THIS WEEKEND IN OTTAWA   Ottawa. June 8, 2010: Rod Bruinooge, MP for Winnipeg South and Chief Kenny Blacksmith from Gathering Nations International launched the National Forgiven Summit today. The summit will include a public response to Prime Minister Harper’s 2008 apology and his request for forgiveness.     “I believe this will be a meaningful time of healing for many Aboriginals,” said Bruinooge. “Past challenges can be overcome to prepare for a brighter future.”   The summit will take place in Ottawa, June 11-13, 2010 at the Ottawa Civic Centre. The three-day event is expected to draw thousands of Inuit, Métis, First Nations, non-natives and government leaders. Summit organizers want to share the message that forgiveness brings healing.   During the summit, participants will present a Charter of Forgiveness to Minister Strahl, and symbolically, to the entire nation. A coalition of residential school survivors prepared the charter and it will be available to sign throughout the weekend.   To prepare for the summit, a Journey of Freedom is taking place in aboriginal communities, churches, and regional centres throughout the country. The journey began in January 2010 and the national summit will conclude the journey.   “What a joy it will be when thousands of individuals come together to release forgiveness,” said Chief Blacksmith. “We have the capacity to forgive, and we will experience greater healing if we choose to do so.”    On June 11, 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper extended an apology to the residential school victims. This weekend is the two year anniversary of that apology.   For more information: Myrrhanda Novak Director of Communications Office of Rod Bruinooge, MP Tel: 204.984.6787 Email: bruinr0@parl.gc.ca   Shauna Simmonds Media Relations National Forgiven Summit Tel: 647.244.1486 Email: shauna@i4give.ca