Truth & Reconciliation Week at The Cathedral

From September 25 to October 2 the Cathedral will mark Truth & Reconciliation Week by offering opportunities to learn about and grow into right relations with Indigenous people. This week of activities is made possible by a generous grant from the Diocese of New Westminster. 

Here is a list of all the event that will be taking place during this week: 

Sunday, September 25

We are honoured to have Melaney Gleeson-Lyall, Musqueam, Coast Salish artist and author, join us on Sunday, September 25.  She will have her Orange Shirt design available for purchase before and after the 10:30am service. 

You are invited to wear your orange shirt throughout the week, and especially on Orange Shirt Day - Friday, September 30. As well, all are encouraged to wear an orange shirt to worship on Sunday, October 2. 

Tuesday, September 27 at 7pm 

Cedar Weaving with Todd G̱íihlgiigaa DeVries 

Weave a cedar heart in honour of Orange Shirt Day and in remembrance of the children of the Indian Residential School System, many of whom never returned home. 

Learn the fundamentals of cedar weaving from Vancouver Haida artist Todd G̱íihlgiigaa ('Heath-gee-ga’) DeVries. For the past ten years Todd has been sharing his skills, and teaching other weavers how to master materials of their own choosing as well as cedar bark, through demonstrations, workshops, weaving circles and informal mentorships. He has taught communities as diverse as elders and youth through community programs throughout BC. He currently is an artist in residence at Britannia Community Center in Vancouver, teaching basic weaving skills every week. 

This interactive, online workshop will be held over Zoom and all participants will receive a kit to make their own cedar bark heart. Supplies can be picked up or mailed out. Zoom link will be sent to registrants two days prior to event. 

Registration required. Please register here to take part. Suitable for all ages! 
While this is offered free of charge, there is a cost to make this session happen. If you register and your plans change, please let us know so we can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist. 

Friday, September 30  1pm -- 3pm 

Wisdom Sharing  and Feather Dance prayer flag making with Rikki Kooy 

Join the Cathedral's Indigenous mentoring elder Rikki Kooy as we continue the work of the Feather Dance project, making reconciliation flags to add to the Cathedral prayer pole. From 1-3pm. No registration required. 

Saturday, October 1- An Evening of Cultural Sharing with Racelle Kooy - 7pm to 9pm

Let’s come together and make a joyful noise! We will learn songs, share in ceremony, and hear reflections from special guest Racelle Kooy. Bring along a drum or rattle if you have one. All are welcome to this special evening. Light refreshments to follow. 

We are honoured to have Racelle Kooy with us. Racelle dedicates her professional talents to amplifying the voices and respectful representation of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit People to regional, national and global platforms. She works to build and hold safer places for needed and difficult dialogue to facilitate respectful engagement. Since 1999, she has been collaborating with the Assembly of First Nations, including her role as the bilingual co-chair at the AFN Assemblies, and has served past and current National Chiefs. 

Racelle was the communications lead for Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc’s (TteS) Le Estcwicwe̓y̓. She was honoured to assist the TteS leadership and community in sharing the monumental and heart-wrenching news of the missing children of the Kamloops Indian Residential School with the world. 

Rikki Kooy will also be in attendance 

Sunday, October 2 - Wisdom Sharing and Incense Making 

After the 10:30am service, learn the art of incense making with local Métis Herbalist, Lori Snyder. 

 Lori will instruct us in making cone incense from locally sourced plants and share wisdom as we work together. Bring along your own dried plants to add to the mix. Cedar and rose petals are especially recommended. Each participant will leave with incense to take home. Lori shares Indigenous perspectives on wild, edible and medicinal plants. She offers plant identification walks, illustration and plant medicine workshops, and homemade products, as well as public speaking and team training. 

Registration here if you wish to take part in this workshop. Space is limited. 
While this is offered free of charge, there is a cost to make this session happen. If you register and your plans change, please let us know so we can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist. 

Rikki Kooy, Indigenous Mentoring Elder, will be at 10:30am service