When the Europeans arrived at the so-called ‘new world’, it wasn’t terra nullius, or empty land as they tried to suggest. Rather, there were nations that had coexisted in this space for millennia. These peoples knew the region – they knew the plants and the animals, the cycles of the seasons, the ways they could gather what was needed from the earth while continually seeking balance to ensure that there would enough for future generations. They had treaties between nations and governing systems. They had wisdom that allowed these communities to survive and thrive in this environment for millennia.
When the Europeans arrived at the ‘new world’, it wasn’t terra nullius, but the people they discovered didn’t look like them, act like them, or think like them. The differences were so stark that those seeking power, wealth, and control used the differences to dehumanise and exploit. Greed, arrogance, and ignorance became weapons used to try to rid the new world of Indigenous peoples by disconnecting them from their families, their culture, their history, and their land.
If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
Sin impacts relationships and can have implications across generations. The attitudes and norms established centuries ago still influence relationships between descendants of settlers and Indigenous peoples.
Even as there are drinking water protection regions around the province, many Indigenous peoples on reserves have experienced decades of boil-water advisories. They live on lands that are surrounded by chemical processing sites polluting the region and increasing illness. Their education systems are drastically underfunded, and they don’t necessarily have equivalent access to health care. There is an epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2-Spirit individuals. The farther north we go, the worse the circumstances get, leaving Inuit as one of the most marginalised communities in the world. This all happens in a country that is supposed to be highly developed. Canada is supposed to have a high standard of living for all its citizens. So, why are Indigenous people still so marginalised?
If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; … And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; …, And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out;
Jesus calls us to continually reflect on that which contributes to sin and challenges us to do what is necessary to distance ourselves from that. We are called to do the best we can until we know better and then do better.
Truth and Reconciliation Day creates space where we can season our lives through humble learning. We can read and watch Indigenous stories. We can appreciate the wisdom Indigenous peoples carry especially in relation to Creation. We can recognise the injustices that continue to exist. We can reflect on how we can use our power and privilege as accomplices supporting the needs and gifts of the Indigenous communities locally and beyond.
We who are guided by the life, death, and resurrection of one who sees the value of every person and all living things, can know better and do better in the ways we relate to Indigenous peoples today. May our willingness to ‘cut off’ greed, arrogance, and ignorance guide us as we seek Truth and Reconciliation this day and always. This we pray as we sing: (VT) 715 Longing for Light
