On Monday, June 22, Echoes had an online conversation with Jodi Spargur; this is a recording of that event.
From 2008-2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) sought to create "as complete a historical record as possible of the residential school system and legacy," as part of the settlement for a conviction on the charge of cultural genocide.
Our discussion guest for this Echoes' 'Hamster Church gathering was Jodi Spargur, who was involved with TRC, and has spent many years working alongside and under the leadership of First Nations peoples. Jodi describes herself as a farmer, pastor and catalyzer for justice and healing between settlers and Indigenous Peoples. Jodi has been a pastor for 27 years, including planting a church in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver in 2009 that was formed around First Nations families. A large aspect of Jodi’s work focuses on helping non-Indigenous communities learn about colonization, and about how the implications of colonization manifest themselves today. Because of her extensive experience working alongside Indigenous Peoples, Jodi opens eyes to a different worldview.
Jodi established and directs Red Clover Initiatives, a non-profit network that creates Indigenous led local actions for healing and justice. Red Clover also provides cultural safety and anti-racism trainings. She works among churches catalyzing local, sustainable connections with Indigenous communities for the purposes of healing and justice. Jodi is profoundly gifted as a presenter and educator. She lives as a guest on the unceded Coast Salish Territory known as Vancouver, BC.
This event challenges understandings of colonialism, the role of churches, and offer some of the findings of the TRC in making a way forward. In a time when we are actually facing systemic racism in our country, this event is a vital look at our early and ongoing injustices towards those who have lived on North American soil since time immemorial.
RESOURCES: