February is Black History Month! This issue of RLN starts off with a message from the Rev. Wilson Akinwale who was recently elected National Board Chair of the Black Anglicans of Canada and an announcement of an afternoon celebration of Black excellence.
Next, Chris Trott discusses the history of Inuit catechists, many of whom are little known in Anglican history or whose names and lives have not been documented at all. Trott shows that these catechists have and continue to be integral to Indigenous Anglicans.
Diocesan Archivist, Mary Horodyski, writes about the history of the Dynavor ‘Indian’ hospital which the Diocese of Rupert’s Land ran from 1896 to 1939. This article responds to the 59th Call to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by shedding light on a difficult and little known part of Anglican history. A warning to readers that the history discussed in this article is troubling.
Based on an interview with members of the Committee on the Land Statement, the article “Land Acknowledgement as Confession” explores the work and thinking this committee has undertaken to reassess their parish’s land acknowledgement, exploring deeper ways to commit themselves to reconciliation as a collective effort and a call to action.
This issue also includes a Parish Profile on St. Aidan’s Anglican exploring the deep sense of connection members of this parish have found in their love for God the creator and their commitment to creating little corners of God’s glory.
I hope you find learning and enjoyment in reading this month’s articles.
Read and download February’s issue here.