The first day of summer, the longest day of the year, is a good occasion for the Catholic Church to remember how important it is to renew relationships with indigenous peoples, Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, shared at a June 21 Mass.

National Indigenous Peoples Day “enables us to acknowledge and celebrate the unique accomplishments of Indigenous peoples in fields as varied as agriculture, the environment, and the arts, and their significant contribution to Canadian society and, I would like to add, to the Church,” he said.

“Today also provides an occasion to recognize the Church’s need to work ever more zealously to heal the wounds that our past has caused, especially in residential schools. On this day, when the sun shines the longest, we pledge to foster reconciliation in all the ways that are open to us.”

Recently, a local Catholic community also honoured Indigenous peoples when they installed a welcome post at the entrance to St. Patrick’s Regional Secondary School.

Melaney Gleeson-Lyall (Point).
The welcome post at St. Patrick’s.

A Dedication Ceremony was held on the front lawn of St. Patrick’s to mark the installation of a Musqueam Welcome Post at the school’s entrance June 7.

The Welcome Post was carved by Musqueam Coast Salish artist Brent Sparrow, Jr., whose daughter, Kamryn, attends the school. The entire school community was involved in the project, which was spearheaded by former Vice-Principal Gab Donnici and teacher David Wicks. 

Donnici spoke at the ceremony:  “One year ago, the administration at St. Pat’s decided that a major aspect of its school growth plan this year was going to be dedicated to helping its students be part of the effort for reconciliation and healing with Indigenous people. Commissioning Brent Sparrow, Jr., to carve the post was a key component in that plan.”

Last fall, students participated in a field trip to the Musqueam reserve to observe and participate in carving the Welcome Post in Brent’s studio, tour the Musqueam Cultural Centre, and hear stories of the history of the Musqueam people.

Every grade, plus school staff, also participated in the Kairos Blanket Exercise, an interactive workshop which relates the history of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada over the past 500 years.

Musqueam Coast Salish artist Melaney Gleeson-Lyall (Point) led a traditional welcome at the dedication ceremony June 7, and Musqueam elder Shane Point told students of the importance and history of house posts in the Coast Salish culture. He congratulated the school community for working together as a whole during this process.

Principal Ralph Gabriele also affirmed the importance of the project, saying the gathering was intended "to give moral and symbolic strength in the historical relationship and reconciliation between the Catholic Church and First Peoples, which is not simply saying ‘I’m sorry’ and then forgetting about it.”

He quoted Pope Francis, who said “Forgiveness is not the fruit of our own efforts but rather a gift; it is a gift of the Holy Spirit who fills us with the wellspring of mercy and of grace that flows unceasingly from the open heart of the Crucified and Risen Christ.”

In that spirit, said Gabriele, “we are all called to all work towards reconciliation.”

Over the past year the school community implemented work and learning opportunities that incorporated themes and concepts from the First Peoples and Catholic worldviews, he said.

“The dedication of this Welcome Post is the start of a dialogue, not the end; the house post is a permanent reminder that we need to continue to find new ways to move forward as an equal and just society.” 

Emcee and lead teacher on the indigenous education project David Wicks summed up the significance of the Welcome Post.

“We have started the process of integrating Indigenous perspectives into our day-to-day lives, both inside and outside of the classroom. Today we are dedicating our house post, a piece of work that not only acknowledges our past, but will be a constant reminder of the reconciliation process that we are undertaking, and that we want to be a welcoming community for all people who may walk through the doors of our school.” 

Musqueam elder Shane Point explains the significance of Coast Salish house posts.