Christians leave painful legacy

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On Easter Sunday, a thousand Christians gathered on Indian sacred territory to celebrate the rising of Christ with a sunrise ceremony. The agenda included a prayer for reconciliation with Native peoples. Apparently two Native churches were invited to the ceremony, but only a handful showed up. Representatives of the congregations verbally apologized for the wrong that was done to them. The Native people in attendance accepted their apologies and gifts, then returned to their homes.

The gesture was honorable but I'm not convinced that a verbal apology can rectify what Christianity has subjected the Native people to over the last 500 years. An apology can be accepted, Christianity can be forgiven, but can the Native people ever forget?

Forgiveness is conditional to the pain inflicted. In the case of the Native people who were forced to conform to Christian ideals, were abducted from their homes as small children and, in too many cases, physically, psychologically and sexually abused in residential schools, I doubt very much if they can forgive from their hearts.

A child is born with unconditional love and is trusting of the parents who nurture him and return love. When that bond of trust is broken, the child learns to distrust and becomes suspicious of motive. The paternalism displayed by the various spiritual denominations duplicated this relationship. The efforts of the clergy were not necessarily in the interests of the Native people, rather in the name of religious conformity to the best interests of the Church. If a trusting relationship was established, it was soon broken down with the scandalous operations at the residential schools.

The relationship between the Native people and Christianity has been marred with continued efforts to debase their spiritual belief system and approach to worship. Respect for Native spirituality and values was disregarded. Instead punishment was inflicted on those who practised ceremonial traditions and they were labelled as demons and heathens. This relationship was somewhat weighted in favor of conformity. I don't believe the Bible includes this behavior in spreading the word throughout the inhabited world!

I'm sure the intentions of the Christians are sincere. However, I suspect there won't be a whole lot of Native people who will embrace their intentions and trust them to be fair in the future. In the minds of many of our people is the memory of abuse and unfair tactics used to alter the spirituality and values of an ancient heritage. The healing process of our people will be an arduous journey and it will take more than an apology to erase these painful memories.

The rising sun symbolizes a new day. The darkness from yesterday is replaced with brightness and the promise of a new beginning. Is a positive new beginning with the religious organizations possible? Was Native spirituality and the animistic belief system so wrong with worship parameters? Worship the Creator is of personal conscience and not necessarily of doctrinal significance.

The glory of the sun is for all of mankind. We each have the opportunity for a new beginning. As individuals we must absorb the warmth of the sun and share the brightness amongst us.