After five months of traveling across Canada with the ‘Journey of Freedom’ the team led by Chief Kenny Blacksmith finally reached Ottawa for the ‘National Forgiven Summit’. On a beautiful sunny evening thousands gathered at the Civic Centre for an historic occasion where a coalition of First Nations, Métis & Inuit would, as individuals, respond with forgiveness to the Prime Minister’s apology made exactly two years before to the day. On June 11th, 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper had sincerely apologized to the Aboriginal peoples and asked for their forgiveness for Canada’s role in the Indian Residential Schools system. For many, now was the time to set Canada free through choosing to forgive and thereby gain their own freedom.As we entered the atrium lobby we were welcomed by the sound of worship as Russ Rosen and a team from Vancouver played gently for attendees and to honour the Lord. The arena had been transformed with vivid lighting and smoke effects and a wide stage had the outline of both a tepee and an inukshuk with a large screen between them. Chief Kenny Blacksmith opened with a big smile saying that we had waited a long time for this moment. He urged us to expect much from our Chief Cornerstone! Chief Kenny was partnered by Pastor Alain Caron from Gatineau who translated into French.There was a very warm welcome from the local Algonquin Nation with a reading of Psalm 24 and a prayer that the ‘King of Glory may come in’. Pastors Ken Hall and Ken Roth also welcomed the Summit on behalf of the Ottawa churches. Chief Kenny could now say, ‘that we are free to do whatever needs to be done’!Read the rest of the report here.
Comments