21 August 2018
[Anglican Journal, by BY Tali Folkins] A self-determining Indigenous church could bring new spiritual life not just to Canada’s Indigenous Anglicans, but to the country as a whole, Anglican priest and psychologist Canon Martin Brokenleg said in an address to Sacred Circle August 7.
“The strength of Indigenous cultures is our spirituality. We speak easily about the remarkable spiritual experiences we have and the dreams and visions that are given to us,” he said.
Click here for the full article
20 August 2018
[Anglican Taonga] The Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia is stepping up to honour the achievements of the Kingitanga (Māori King movement), the Ringatū and Rātana churches in 2018 as each celebrates a significant anniversary.
The General Synod Standing Committee has ratified a motion brought by Tikanga Māori to enliven ties with the three movements in this year when: the Kingitanga commemorates 160 years since the coronation of Pōtatau Te Wherowhero as the first Māori King; the Ringatū Church marks 150 years since its founder Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki first offered prayers at Whareongaonga, and the Rātana Church celebrates 100 years since its founder, Te Māngai, Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana received his calling to a ministry of healing.
8 August 2018
[Anglican Journal, by Tali Folkins] Indigenous Canadian Anglicans inched closer to having a spiritual organization of their own Tuesday, August 7, as the ninth Indigenous Anglican Sacred Circle, meeting in Prince George, B.C., August 6-11, pondered a document proposing guiding principles for the future church.
Sacred Circle, the national decision-making body of Indigenous Canadian Anglicans that meets every three years, was presented with the document, “An Indigenous Spiritual Movement: Becoming What God Intends Us To Be,” by National Indigenous Anglican Bishop Mark MacDonald. MacDonald said he had drafted the document, with revisions from other Canadian Indigenous Anglican leaders, and was presenting it to the Sacred Circle “not as something that is finished, but something that we look for your wisdom and guidance on.” Members of the assembly were asked to break up into smaller groups and present their comments.
7 March 2018
The Archbishops have announced the election of the Rt Rev Don Tamihere as the next Pihopa o Aotearoa, or leader of the Maori Anglican Church.
Bishop Don, who is 45, and who has Ngati Porou ties, now succeeds the late Archbishop Brown Turei not only as Anglican Bishop of Te Tairawhiti, the tribal district which covers the eastern seaboard of the North Island, but also as Pihopa Mataamua, leader of Te Pihopatanga and co-leader of the three tikanga church.
The two sitting archbishops, the Most Revs Philip Richardson and Winston Halapua, are delighted that Bishop Don has been chosen:
"We rejoice with the people of Te Pihopatanga o Aotearoa," they say, "and look forward to sharing the primacy of our church with Bishop Don”.
The full article can be found here
5 March 2018
[Bishop Mark McDonald Anglcain Journal] The recent acquittal of Gerald Stanley in the death of Colten Boushie has revealed a deep and abiding difference in the experience of Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous people across Canada. For many Indigenous people, this was both heartbreaking and familiar. For many other Canadians, there was both dismay and some surprise. The enormous gaps in the performance of justice, the widespread and obvious denial of basic respect and dignity for Indigenous people in the legal system, have become clear in a way that is a sharp jolt to a broader public.
Many of the responses to the verdict have been useful and good; Senator Murray Sinclair’s comments stand out as practical, wise and constructive. While holding onto these practical steps forward, it is very important to recognize some of the deep truths this matter reveals. The deep and wide presence of systemic evil in Canadian society and culture has become clear to a larger group of Canadians. Recognizing this, may we perceive that there is no healthy way forward for Canada without an effective dismantling of the systemic evil we call racism.
The conscious attitudes of individuals are where most people locate racism. For significant parts of Canadian society, therefore, outright prejudice against Indigenous people is no longer accepted in polite conversation and behavior. But, the systemic nature of racism is revealed in that long after direct statements of prejudice are rejected, bias and fear of “the other” are still embedded in all the various structures and institutions of our society—including the institution of the church. Sadly, and with deadly impact, bias and fear of the other linger in the hidden and habitual attitudes of great portions of our society.
