School’s Out, Summer’s In!

YAY! We Made it!

The last week of June brings cause for many celebrations of school year endings, with mixtures of sadness and relief. In Ontario, the last day of classes for the 2024-2025 school year is June 25, 2025, for secondary students and June 26, 2025 for elementary students.

This is also a time when Indigenous communities celebrate Summer Solstice with Pow Wows.

Recently I had the privilege of attending a pow wow in which young people especially were encouraged to “strut their stuff” in song, drumming and tribal dances.  The host of the event kept saying” here we have the leaders of the future in their regalia who will carry our ways into a new World.” 

I sincerely believe that the Indigenous peoples will show us not only the importance of treating everything in a good way but can and will be our partners in showing us how to create a better world.

Yes, there are various graduation speeches delivered:

Grade 8 graduations typically celebrate student achievements and offer encouragement for the future. They often thank teachers and families, acknowledge the journey through middle school, and look forward to the new chapter of high school. Inspirational themes might include overcoming obstacles, the importance of friendship, and the value of individual growth. 

The high school graduation has its special characteristics of becoming leaders for the future.  It is time to move forward, keeping our relationships, inspiring each other.  “WE ARE READY” is the theme of hope and determination to create a better world.  This particular graduation address went viral:

If you barely made it through high school, these quotes are for you:

• “High school was easy. It was like riding a bike. Except the bike was on fire & I was in hell.”

• “Somehow I managed not to burn down the school or myself – Success!”

• “Well, I made it through high school… with minimal casualties.

• “They said ‘reach for the stars,’ but I’m just happy I reached graduation.”

•    “To all the teachers who said I’d never amount to anything: surprise!”

• “I may not have been at the top of my class, but hey, I made it to the finish line!”

• “Here’s to the classmates who made it interesting, the teachers who made it bearable, and the cafeteria food that made it memorable.

• “They said ‘the early bird catches the worm,’ but I prefer the ‘last-minute cramming catches the diploma’ approach.”

• “To all the late nights, early mornings, and countless cups of coffee: thanks for getting me through high school… barely.”

• “I survived high school like a pro: with a mix of luck, caffeine, and sheer determination.”“Here’s to the friends who stuck by me, the teachers who believed in me, and the cafeteria cookies that sustained me.”

"You will never have more energy or enthusiasm, hair, or brain cells than you have today." 46 Funny Graduation Quotes to Share.

In this your journey of LIFE, what would be your comment  as you graduate from one stage and move to the next?

-Sister Kathleen Lichti, csj

Acknowledging Victoria Day

This full-length state portrait of Queen Victoria, executed in 1842 by British artist John Partridge, hangs in the foyer of the Senate Chamber in Parliament Hill’s Centre Block. It was rescued from four fires, including the 1916 inferno that destroyed the original Centre Block.

Victoria Day, the last Monday before May 25, is synonymous with the start of summer.

Because of my maternal roots in having a staunch British grandfather, whose loyalty to the crown was impeccable, I felt drawn to write about Queen Victoria through another lens, probably unknown to my dear grandfather, who may well “turn over in his grave” at what follows.

The lens I propose is through the Indigenous peoples of this land which they occupied long before the British empire was established.

Queen Victoria reigned from 1837-1901, having ascended the throne at the young age of 18. Her reign was marked by significant industrial, political, scientific and social changes, as well as the expansion of the British empire. In the 63 years and 216 days of her reign, the Victorian Era was born.

With this expansion of the British empire, she enjoyed the support from the previously enacted Doctrine of Discovery of 1534 by Pope Alexander the VI.  Although succeeding popes renounced this doctrine, its sentiments remained strong in the minds and hearts of Europeans, for by it, this meant that European colonizers had the blessing of the Pope to claim and occupy these “empty lands” (Terra Nullius)  

As a result, Victoria’s reign was marred by the establishment of Residential Schools which were established solely to wipe out the Indigenous peoples by separating children from their parents and educating them into the “civilized” way of life, as defined by European standards.

This continues to be the case in our system of childcare:

“Recent statistics paint a troubling picture of the challenges facing Indigenous children in Canada. According to 2021 data from Statistics Canada, despite making up only 8% of the child population in Canada, a staggering 53.8% of children in foster care are Indigenous. There are more than 28,000 Indigenous children in government care today, which is 2.5 times the number that were in residential schools at their peak in the 1930s.”

Queen Victoria is also known as the “Mother of Confederation”:

As the reigning monarch, she granted Royal Assent to the British North America Act, which established the Dominion of Canada in 1867. She also appointed Canada's first senators and proclaimed the act's commencement. Victoria was a strong supporter of Confederation, believing it would benefit the provinces and strengthen relations with the United States. 

A stained-glass window above the Senate entrance to Centre Block depicts Queen Victoria on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee in 1897, beside her great-great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, who marked her own Diamond Jubilee 115 years later in 2012. Below Victoria appears the original Centre Block and its iconic Victoria Tower, 19 years before they were gutted in the 1916 fire.

Here's a more detailed look at her role:

• Granting Royal Assent:

  • Queen Victoria's signature on the British North America Act, now known as the Constitution Act, officially brought Canada into being as a unified nation. 

• Appointment of Senators:

  • She appointed Canada's first 72 senators, establishing the upper house of parliament. 

• Proclamation of the Act:

  • Victoria proclaimed that the British North America Act would come into effect on July 1, 1867, effectively marking the beginning of Canadian Confederation. 

• Support for Confederation:

  • She actively encouraged the idea of Confederation, believing it would strengthen the colonies and reduce defense costs. 

• Symbol of Unity:

  • Queen Victoria became a symbol of national unity and identity for Canadians, as the country was emerging as a self-governing dominion within the British Empire. 

• Victoria Day:

  • To honor her role as the "Mother of Confederation," Victoria Day, a federal statutory holiday, was established in Canada and is celebrated on the Monday between May 18 and 24. 

We begin summer usually by celebrating the birthday of Queen Victoria as her legacy continues to influence how we govern ourselves as Canadians.

With the current threat to our sovereignty from our southern neighbour, it is with a sense of gratitude to Queen Victoria for “pulling us together” as a sovereign nation.

BUT it is also incumbent on us to right the wrongs from her reign in how we continue to be in a flawed relationship with the Indigenous peoples of this land. Thanks to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of 2015 in demanding attention to the 94 recommendations, we do have a positive way forward.  Are we ready to take this path?

So, Queen Victoria, we remember you on this holiday weekend, with mixed emotions, that invite us as Canadians to “right the wrongs” as we move forward in our relationship with the First peoples of this land.

And “Gramps” forgive me if I have offended you, but the TRUTH will set us free!  I am just sorry that you were deprived of this in your latter years. ☹

 -Sister Kathleen Lichti, csj

Genocide in Canada?

Genocide in Canada? NEVER!!!

Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada

The news has been inundated with the realities of genocides all over the world, but rarely is Canada included in that list.  A little dose of TRUTH is in order to get a proper perspective.

Prior to the European arrival, millions of various tribes existed across Turtle Island with their system of bartering, governing that worked for them.

Columbus’ “discovery” of the land, was affirmed by Pope Alexander VI in 1493, when he issued the infamous “Doctrine of Discovery” that stated that empty lands “terra nullius” “discovered by European Explorers, became the property of the Crown.  In fact, these lands were inhabited by millions of peoples comprising one fifth of the world’s population at that time. They just happened to be non-Christian and were therefore deemed to be uncivilized and hence the term “terra nullius” or empty lands.

The mentality incurred by the Doctrine of Discovery paved the way for our Indigenous peoples to be horrifically treated due to the policies of the First Prime Minister of Canada by establishing the Residential School system which was specifically launched “to get rid of the Indian problem” and prevailed from the 1870’s to the 1990’s in which more than 130 Residential Schools were established and run by many of our churches.

The “savages”, a term used by Duncan Campbell Scott, were deemed to be subhuman (Indian Act in a plain-language summary). Colonizers attempted to assimilate them into European culture through the residential School System and by the 60’s Scoop when the children were ‘scooped up” and placed into European settler homes. It is estimated that there were even more Indigenous children in the child welfare system than the 150,00 that were in Residential Schools.

The past Chair of the TRC, the Honourable Murray Sinclair’s words ring so true for today:

“it is education that got us into this mess, and it is education that will get us out of it.”

One of the first steps to “getting us out of this mess” was the submission of the TRC 94 Calls to Action 94 Recommendations of the TRC report of 2015. It was carefully drawn up after the Commissioners interviewed thousands of abused survivors and it is estimated that 6000+ died in residential schools.  This is a significant number. This is a genocide. Truly the darkest part of our Canadian history.

Perhaps this is best summed up by Connor Sarazin in the June Kairos times Newsletter:

“Over the course of history there have been acts of genocide from one nation over another on a global scale. Although, you may not see the struggles of Indigenous Peoples regularly on the nightly news. The Indigenous Peoples remain in a fight for their survival. Many communities don’t have running water, never mind being drinkable. Many communities don’t have hydro and rely upon diesel generators for power. Children must travel hundreds of miles away from their home and community to get a high school education, and there are more children in care than at the height of the Indian Residential Schools. It is an alarming rate of epidemic proportions that women, girls and 2Spirit Peoples are murdered and go missing every day. It is easier to erase a people when they have no women.

Words like genocide are used to describe other nations around the globe who are fighting for their survival. We tend to forget that the struggle for the First Peoples on our own land carry these same words and have so for hundreds of years.”

On June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day, may we recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.

-Sister Kathleen Lichti, CSJ

Cabrini: the Movie

“What the world needs now, is Love Sweet Love”, some of us may remember this song of Burt Barcharach and Hal David that came out in 1965. As the song says, “It’s the only thing there’s just too little of... No, not just for some, but for everyone...”

Yes, this world needs so much love as we come to a turning point where love is being replaced with hatred, bullying, xenophobia, violence against anyone who is “different” than the white male Caucasian.  Women are belittled, Indigenous peoples in countries world-wide are looked upon as being subhuman or inhuman, hence are treated as if they have no value. People who are homosexual or transgender are not even considered to be human.  What is the criteria for dismissing a human being? Too many politicians exhibit an unconscious or perhaps even conscious assumption that some people in this world are not human...and this is in supposedly educated nations.  Shame on us if we remain silent, for therein is our consent.

Enter, “Cabrini” the movie about a young Italian woman who dared the powers of Church and state to say “no” to the dream of a better world for all.

Not only does the movie take the “religiosity” out of religion, but inserts an interesting dynamic between: women and the men who hold power, Italian immigrants and U.S. citizens, a tribal worldview and an inclusive one, the rich and privileged of New York City, and the poor in the slums.

Frances Cabrini, born in 1850, had only a few years to live because of a compromised lung condition she acquired when she almost drowned as a child. She founded her own Religious order because she was rejected by established orders due to her ill health.  The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, under Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, felt called to the far east to minister to the poor and forgotten. The movie “CABRINI”, graphically depicts how 6 women were able to effect major change in the hearts of the citizens of New York City after having been commissioned by Pope Leo XIII.

Upon arriving in New York the women experienced firsthand, the plight of the Five Points Slum district in which Italian immigrants lived isolated from the rest of the citizens of NY City (“Rats have it better”, described their condition)

The Institute of The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus established seven homes and a free school and nursery in its first five years. Its good works brought Cabrini to the attention of Giovanni Scalabrini, Bishop of Piacenza, and of Pope Leo XIII.[2]

In 1889, at the suggestion of Pope Leo XIII, the Sisters came to New York, and opened convents in the Archdioceses of Chicago, Denver, Newark, Seattle, and Los Angeles and the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Scranton.[3] In 1892 they established Columbus Hospital in New York City,[4] which later became Cabrini Medical Center and operated until 2008.

Perhaps the compassionate viewer is able to appreciate these times in which the movie was produced and the actual tenor of the day in the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. We saw in the portrayal of Mother Cabrini a woman spurred on by intense love for the orphans and abandoned of her society. We also saw how anger fuelled her passion to embrace those who had no love.  Anger and love provided the energy Mother Cabrini needed to accomplish all she did.

-Sister Kathleen Lichti, csj

Image: Felix Mooneeram/Unsplash

Getting to Know You

June is Indigenous History Month, and Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) is a time all to honour the cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Metis).

As I was reflecting on what I wanted to put into this blog, the song “Getting to know You came to mind.  It is the one that Julie Andrews sang to the children in “The King and I”

Perhaps some words of the song can apply to our growing relationship with Indigenous peoples.  It has been and is a process of “getting to know” each other and “getting to know what to say” when entering into the Indigenous ways of knowing.

June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day in which we honour the Indigenous peoples, Elders and ancestors to commemorate the Indigenous culture, language, land and ways of being.

It was first self-declared Indian Day in 1945, by Jules Sioui and chiefs from across Turtle Island (North America). In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) called for the creation of a National Aboriginal Solidarity Day to be celebrated on 21 June.

Sometimes, critics say of the indigenous Peoples that “they need to get over it” when the topic arises about the residential School system, the “60’s scoop”, the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, 2 spirit, and gender diverse people (MMIWG2S). “Getting over it” is not what it is about. Journeying together, Indigenous and non-Indigenous/settlers through those painful years of history is what it is about.

It is important to remember, not forget what has happened and continues to happen in the unjust treatment of Indigenous peoples.

It is about re-member-ing.  And to better understand at a heart level what was done TO the first peoples when the settlers came. We all are called to re-mem-ber that we are one people with diverse ways of being, knowing and enriching each other.

By journeying together in openness, respect, humility, love, truth courage, honesty and wisdom, we can come to a new united people on this land.

Healing must be part of the process of being reconciled, being one.

The colonizer needs to be healed from the shame that exists about what the early colonial ancestors did. Education about the true history of colonial and Indigenous relationships is absolutely necessary, followed by a commitment not to have this treatment repeated.

Many of the First nations Peoples do not even know the truth of their past, because Residential School survivors never spoke of their experience.  When the truth is told, there is more of a chance of reconciliation.

The peoples of the 14th and 15th Century, Indigenous and colonizers, were taught by the Doctrine of Discovery, that the first peoples were savages, inferior.  They believed it of themselves, and the colonizers were thereby justified in taking the land and resources.

Healing for the Indigenous involves dealing with the anger, sense of loss, frustration, through the various Indigenous ways of healing. 

The colonizers also need healing, through education and by ensuring that what was done so cruelly in the 14th century to the present, is never repeated.

Forgiveness is an act of the Creator, where restoration to a new order happens after the victim is able to remember the atrocities, and to choose to move beyond the anger even to a point of forgiveness of the wrongdoer. (see pp. 17-19, 11 in The Ministry of Reconciliation: Spirituality and Strategies by Robert Schreiter, C.PP.S

Once the wronged Indigenous person can forgive, the wrongdoer can be moved to express true sorrow and reshape his/her actions.

So, on this day of honouring the Indigenous peoples of this part of Turtle Island, called Canada, let us embark on a journey together.

For example, some of the opportunities available to us as non-Indigenous, are attending a POW WOW...these are open to the public; visit a friendship Centre; attend webinar or a Teaching and Sharing circle online, visit a reserve in your area.

“Getting to Know You” begins with Education.  In the words of former Senator, Murray Sinclair,

“It is education that got us here, and it is education that will get us out.”

-Sister Kathleen Lichti, CSJ