A group of college students had an opportunity to learn more about indigenous culture and religion in a new March break trip this year.  

Principal Jesse Zink accompanied a group of three students and one recent graduate on a trip to Waswanapi, the southernmost of the communities in the Cree Nation of Quebec, about 730 kilometers north of Montreal. The group was hosted by the Rev. Cliff Dee and St. Barnabas Anglican Church in the Diocese of Moosonee.  

“Part of the requirements for the Master of Divinity program is an intercultural encounter,” explained Principal Zink. “We’ve met this requirement in a variety of ways in the past. Recently, it’s become clear to us that we need to put greater emphasis on encounter with indigenous communities and within the Quebec context as well.”  

Over six days in late February and early March, the group attended and participated in the Waswanapi Winter Arts Festival, which was an excellent opportunity to learn more about Cree culture and the relationship the Cree people have with the land. Later, the group learned from Allan Saganash, the long-time land manager for the band office, who spoke movingly about his work to care for Cree land in the face of pressures towards economic development, as well as about the way Cree culture can be sustained through a deeper connection to the land.  

One theme that was repeated in many of the conversations was the impact of residential schools on the Cree people. The group spent one morning in a sharing circle with survivors of residential schools, who told about being taken away from their families in bush camps and sent to schools in southern Ontario or Quebec. Student Jeffrey Mackie-Deernsted later commented, “Hearing stories of residential school survivors was very difficult. It was the first time I had heard the stories from someone who was right in front of me and who I interacted and worshipped with. Their stories have compelled me to question again what my church is doing for reconciliation. I am also amazed that many remained in the Anglican Church throughout their lives.” Susan Searle added, “What I learned from the stories of the residential school survivors was—perhaps paradoxically—hope. The four people who spoke with us had been through extremely traumatic experiences and yet still retained their faith, which is literally grounded in the land and in the Creator.”  

 The Dio group worshipped and prayed regularly together and with members of the Waswanapi community. This included a joint service with the Anglican and Pentecostal congregations, which is temporarily worshipping in the Anglican building after a fire rendered theirs unusable. “What I will remember most is the warm and generous welcome we had from all the people we met,” said Searle. “We were treated like friends, almost extended members of the community, rather than outsiders.”  

“In Montreal, we have a lot to learn about the indigenous communities of this province and country,” said Zink. “This trip opened up new horizons for us as a college and we are looking forward to building on these relationships as we go forward.”  

This article is part of our 2019-2020 Year in Review publication. If you would like a printed copy, drop us a line at [email protected].