“Equipping Ambassadors of Reconciliation” training conference 19-21 Nov 2009 in Orillia ON

ORILLIA, ON -- The Presbyterian Church in Canada is pleased to announce the “Equipping Ambassadors of Reconciliation” training conference, November 19-21 in Orillia, Ontario.

Designed to develop volunteer leaders of Healing and Reconciliation activities, this event will assist local faith communities to respond in a positive way to the legacy of Indian Residential Schools, and to prepare for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Similar events are being planned across Canada. This is a project of The Anglican Church of Canada, The United Church of Canada and The Presbyterian Church in Canada.

This project of equipping leaders has 3 goals as follows:

• To provide training and resources to ensure that every church member has
  knowledge of the history of the Indian Residential Schools system, the mandate
  and purpose of the official Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and the
  possible roles of ordinary citizens in the official Truth & Reconciliation
  Commission processes.
• To provide training and resources to ensure that every church member who is
  a former student of an Indian Residential School is given the opportunity to tell
  the story or his or her experience in a safe and respectful manner by participating
  in a grassroots, local truth & reconciliation process. Where appropriate this
  opportunity would also be available to former students who are not church
  members but reside in the same communities or attend the same urban
  friendship or ministry centres.
• To provide training and resources to encourage all Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
  church members to actively work together to build right relationships with each
  other.