Indigenous Neighbours

MCC Canada’s Indigenous Neighbours program strives to build respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Learn more about the themes that shape our work and partnerships.

Some of the work we do includes:

Facilitating opportunities for constituents to learn about Indigenous history, rights and concerns using workshops, speaking engagements, publications and online resources.
Supporting connections between MCC constituents and Indigenous partners to build respectful relationships.
Collaborating with Indigenous partners on advocacy to promote positive political, social and economic change for Indigenous Peoples.
Providing opportunities for international exchanges between Indigenous people.

In all programs we partner with Indigenous people, relying on their knowledge to guide our work.

For more information or to order resources contact

indigenousneighbours@mcccanada.ca

Atlantic Canada

The Indigenous Neighbours program in the Maritimes helps create space for reconciliation through collaborating with Indigenous partners and educating non-Indigenous people about our common history and Treaty rights and responsibilities.

Knowing the history of how we got to where we are today is important for understanding current issues, but learning more about what has been done, and is being done, to remedy injustice is grounds for hope.”

—Peace and Friendship project participant, Tatamagouche, NS

We are available to offer resources, the KAIROS Blanket Exercise as well as training for facilitators of the Blanket Exercise. We can also speak in churches, schools, universities or with other groups about reconciliation. Please contact us at maritimes@mcccanada.ca.

Alberta

ABOUT US:

Alberta’s Indigenous Neighbours program seeks to respond to the 94 Calls to Action put out by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Our mandate is simple: educate ourselves, foster relationships, and show up when invited. We’ve started small, and continue to work as the spirit leads – networking, educating ourselves, and listening to stories. Education is a primary focal point - we can’t even begin to imagine a relationship if we haven’t first done our homework and taken the time to learn. So we’ve been getting creative and are waiting to see what inspiration will help guide us to a place of friendship and understanding.

WHAT WE CAN DO:

Provide resources
Connect people
Host learning tours
Go for coffee
Facilitate Blanket Exercises
Speak at public events, church services, youth events, and in school classrooms

CONTACT US:

Phone: (403) 275-6935
Email: officeab@mccab.ca

Related Alberta programs

Go! 100

British Columbia

BC Indigenous Neighbours

The legacy of hundreds of years of discrimination and abuse - including the experience of residential schools - have left deeps scars in Indigenous communities across Canada. The Truth and Reconciliation commission invites us to participate with action towards restoring broken relationships with our Indigenous neighbours, but the first steps are often fraught with anxiety and difficulty.

As Christians, we recognize the injustices that were perpetuated against the Indigenous peoples of Canada, but don't always know how to best respond. MCC's Indigenous Neighbours program walks alongside churches and local Indigenous communities interested in starting down a path of reconciliation and restoration. We work to break down barriers, relieve anxieties, and work toward respectful, healing, and long-term relationships between churches and their Indigenous neighbours.

Pastor Lee Kosa (pictured right) with Elder Ruth Adams (pictured left). MCC photo/Luke Tilley

To find out more about this program, please contact the Indigenous Neighbours Program Coordinator at 604-850-6639 x1120 or by email at indigenousneighbours@mccbc.ca.

Manitoba

Building relationships of healing, friendship and reconciliation between Indigenous and Mennonite peoples.

The Indigenous Neighbours program works with groups and congregations to encourage relationships and address issues of social and economic justice. Several current involvements include:

Sponsoring the annual We are All Treaty People Celebration to bring awareness of treaty responsibilities towards our hosts on Treaty 1 territory.
Engaging with the social and ecological effects of hydro development through a partnership with the Interchurch Council on Hydropower. Watch the recently produced film, “For Love of a River: Two Stories of Loss and Longing.”
Fostering positive perceptions and relationships between newcomers and Indigenous people. Download or request copies of the Indigenous Peoples of Manitoba - A guide for newcomers.
Supporting the Kapabamayak Achaak Healing Forest Project Winnipeg, a community initiative to create a living memorial to Indigenous children lost to or affected by residential schools.

For more information about MCCM's Indigenous Neighbours program, or to get involved, contact Kerry Saner-Harvey at (204) 925-1911.

Ontario

Across Ontario, the Indigenous Neighbours program facilitates reconciliation through relationship, art, and advocacy.

We help share culture by supporting Indigenous artists through the Niska Artisans program.
We help address issues of systemic inequity by advocating for food sovereignty, sustainable livelihoods and clean, safe drinking water.
We are actively responding to the Calls to Action put forward by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We invite you to join us through Reconciliation-in-Action.

Related Ontario programs

Indigenous Water

Niska Artisans

Truth and Reconciliation (TRC)

Undercurrents - a podcast telling MCC stories

Saskatchewan

The Indigenous Neighbours program is focused on changing long-term social relationships within Saskatchewan, so that settlers live as good neighbours with Indigenous peoples, as envisioned by the Treaties. This project focuses on reducing racist perspectives, increasing positive awareness and interaction with Indigenous people and perspectives, and advocating with Indigenous peoples for justice.

The Indigenous Neighbours program educates MCC’s constituency through presentations and events, as well as through sharing resources. We create opportunities for the building of understanding and relationships towards reconciliation and strategies for justice. We seek transformative relationships of healing, friendship and reconciliation.

Our Indigenous Neighbours program:

Promotes understanding of and justice for landless bands, particularly through showings of “Reserve 107”
Facilitates the KAIROS Blanket Exercise
Creates opportunities for our constituency to engage in dialogue and learning through sermons and workshops on topics such as:
- the ministry of reconciliation
- the TRC’s Calls to Action
- the shared history of Mennonites and Indigenous peoples on the prairies, particularly with respect to residential schools and the 60s scoop
Partners with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner on educational sessions and other projects
Partners with Mennonite Church Saskatchewan’s “Walking the Path” community group on reconciliation related initiatives and events

Donate to SK Indigenous Neighbours program

Related Saskatchewan programs

Community development