Truth and Reconciliation Day

 Nanaimo BC, Chris here

I want to say that truth and reconciliation day, hits home for me in a way that I have not heard mentioned

Canadians who are indigenous have carried hurt into their children for decades. The children then hold animosity along with fear, into their own lives. This is what I have witnessed.

I was young, a average white kid in West Central Alberta, perhaps a bit thin and gauky for my young age. I was tagged by two indigenous brothers, they bullied me every day, pushing and punching me till I cried. It took for my Dad to go to the tribes elders to get them to stop. And they did.

I was then a man in his early twenties, tree planting up near Vanderhoof. I met an indigenous couple and their friend in the hotel lounge. I bought them drinks and we started playing pool. The one drink I had, was then drugged, with ether. I shot it back before I knew its taste. In moments, I was dragged by them outside to the back alley. I woke up late morning the next day, having been stripped down and raped. They took my wallet also, leaving me to beg for help, I walked the highway for three days without help, I was bleeding down my leg for two of those three days.

I have worked union pipeline jobs that asked my cree, and because I had no answer, I had no work.

In my thirties, had the chance to work at a fish cannery in Nanaimo during salmon season. I worked alongside a large family of indigenous folks. They were hard on me,and it took weeks to again their confidence. But I did.

I hear folks say reconciliation includes recognizing the errors of colonial Canada, I agree, but only to say, vegenace and justice are not gained without cost.

My ending statement is a Christian one. What this day claims as truth, is itself evidentiary and fact. Truth is a far greater thing. Truth regards wholeness and perfection, which are attributes of Love. There can be no Truth among us, there can only be acts of love,which are selfless and that means taking cost upon yourself.

I have forgiven, and I have loved. My conscience is clear because of this. If there is a gift I can offer those who are burdened by past tragedies, it is this: it is the present moment where life is an expression of Love. And this is all we can witness that is good. Now,and forever.

Chris