WELCOME TO THE
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PRINCE ALBERT
Resource Centre
& Gifts of Faith
Hours of Operation
Monday to Thursday
9:00am to 4:30pm
Friday - Closed
Rev. Frederick Akah, MSP
Indigenous Circle
Email: aboriginalministry@padiocese.ca
Ph: 306-549-2443
(Ste. Solange, Hafford)
Deacon Harry Lafond (Assistant/Indigenous Circle)
Ph: 306-226-4754 Cell: 306-227-9630
Rev. Peter Nnanga, MSP
Indigenous Ministry (Assistant/North Battleford)
Deacon Dan Lamoureux
Co-coordinator of Indigenous Ministry for the Battlefords and Area
Ph: 306-398-2305 (office will contact Deacon)
306-490-7463 (text, if possible)
Deacon Lynn Ryan
Coordinator Indigenous Ministry, Prince Albert & Area/Sturgeon Lake First Nation
Ph: 306-763-2319
It was agreed some years ago by the Permanent Council that the National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples be celebrated on December 12, The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas.
In view of this day of prayer, please find the English and French versions of the text for the 2022 National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. Drafted, approved and published by the CCCB Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council, the text was reviewed by the Executive Committee in accordance with its earlier agreement with the Indigenous Council.
The text will be available in the December 2022 issue of Living with Christ, and will be posted on the CCCB website.
Indigenous Pastoral and Lay Leader Ministry Education is an online continuing education program led by teams of Indigenous and non-Indigenous instructors. The program is jointly sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, St. Thomas More College and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. Register now for Course 1 (Introduction to First Nations Studies) – Tuesdays, Sept. 20 to Nov. 15, 2022; 4:15-5:30 pm SK time. Participants completing all four courses will earn an Indigenous Pastoral & Lay Leader Ministry Certificate. Register and find reflections from previous program participants at https://rcdos.ca/ministries-services/indigenous-ministry-2/indigenous-ministry-education/ Registration Link: http://rcdos.ca/ministries-services/indigenous-ministry-2/indigenous-ministry-education/ Cost: $200 per course Event location: Online via zoom
TOGETHER WE HEAL – Join the Dialogue Circle!
Featuring Georgina Lightning
Co-Facilitated by Catherine Twinn and Archbishop Emeritus Sylvain Lavoie, OMI
These monthly Dialogue Circles serve as an opportunity to participate in decolonizing our hearts and minds while learning to walk humbly with our Creator towards healing and reconciliation. We welcome Indigenous and non-Indigenous to join these sessions, open to anyone interested in listening more attentively to the stories needing to be heard for a renewed relationship to be born; to educate ourselves about our mutual reality and how to create new pathways together.
Our third session, on Intergenerational Trauma with Georgina Lightning is on Thursday, November 18th, 7:00 pm, at the Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert. The session will also be live-streamed via Zoom.
Georgina Lightning (Cree/Bear Clan Treaty 8) is a story teller, filmmaker, actress, public speaker and advocate for change, with 30 years of experience in the film and TV industry. Her films have garnered several awards including the “White House Epic Award” given to emerging artists who change the world with the works they create, such as the narrative feature film “Older Than America,” exposing the residential school reality. Her current docudrama trilogy, “Fantasies of Flying - Grandmothers Medicine and Behind Closed Doors” is in post-production. The hope for this trilogy is to inspire reconciliation, enlightenment, healing and to reclaim the culture lost from the genocide the Indigenous people have endured since contact. Georgina will be sharing her experience of inter-generational trauma.
The session will involve a presentation, small group sharing and a closing sharing circle with Georgina.
There is no charge, but donations are welcome at www.starofthenorth.ca/donate
Please register online or by calling 780-459-5511.
You may want to view the following trailers of Georgiana’s movies before the event:
http://georginalightning.com/video/older-than-america-extended-dvd-trailer/
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert
2018-2021 Indigenous Ministry Out-Reach Report
A picture of the administrators of First Nation taken pre-Covid
Administrators of First Nation
On Friday February 28, 2020 a Consultation and Engagement Gatherings was held at Moosomin First Nation, Sk. Present at the gathering are Bishop Albert Thévenot, M. Afr., the Chief and Council, the elders of Moosomin Community, Priests & Administrators of First Nation parishes across the diocese.
The topic of discussion includes:
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What are the best ways of discouraging the young people from joining gangs; alcohol abuse; drug abuse?
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In which ways can the chiefs, community elders and the Church collaborate in finding solution to the identified challenges?
Chief Bradly Swiftwolfe greeted the group. He and his council were introduced and the Prince Albert Diocese was warmly welcomed to Moosomin First Nation. He thanked the Bishop and Prince Albert Diocese for helping them with the building of our new Church. Our new Church is a safe place to pray. Chief Bradly commented that, the Moosomin community leaders are supportive and committed to fostering spiritual growth in their community. We don't force anyone to pray or have faith in anyway but try to encourage our youth to find a way. Alcohol and drugs are a concern and Meth is a growing concern.
Bishop Albert expressed his thoughts that Music and Sport are a way to reach out and engage the youth. Such as a Gospel Concert with First Nation Artists to give hope to our youth and maybe a Baseball Tournament. The Diocese would help to sponsor such events. We can invite all the reserves. We need leadership on the reserve. We can send someone for a course to help prepare them for this role. If the kids have fun, they will invite their friends. Music, Spirit, Leadership. Our goal is to bring HOPE. We are ready to help you and work hand in hand.
Chief Bradly expressed that it is a welcoming idea to appoint someone from the Council to work with the Prince Albert Diocese and the Indigenous Action Planning Team to help organize programs in Moosomin for youth.
The Diocesan Indigenous Ministry Action-Plan Team also presented its identified issues, recommendations and suggestions. These include:
General advice:
“Drop your own agenda, listen to the people.
Work with the people you see, not the ones who you want to see”.
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Trust in and with the church has been broken and with history, needs to be earned back through established relationships. The theme of relationship and the need to grow relationships is an absolute requirement to outreach.
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Clerical identity, gentleness and practicality are necessary requirements for effective pastoral ministry among the Indigenous people
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Clergy and administrators to Visit and bless homes of the Indigenous Parishioners.
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Clergy and administrators to accept the people and appreciate them for who they are, build friendly relationship and trust. It is a ministry that, to make progress, we have to go for the people to meet them where they are. We may not make much progress if we wait for them to come to us. This is a frontier Mission.
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Pastors should encourage participation by including people and allowing them to showcase their own talents, e.g.: the drummers.
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CAMP NEHIYAWE should not be centralized. It should be rotated and should include more wellness and healing activities. It should target the young people.
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There should be regular wellness-day activities.
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Some of the diocesan programs to be held in First Nation Community facilities
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Pastors and deans to involve and encourage the Indigenous Peoples’ participation in planning of the deanery programs.
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Cree language training for Clergy/Church Leaders to encourage Liturgy in Indigenous language(s) and be practiced in the Indigenous People Community masses.
More opportunity of meetings with the First Nations Community Chiefs and councils should be created to bring to their awareness the Church’s willingness to work with the Indigenous people. It is a good start towards healing and reconciliation.
Submitted by;
Rev. Frederick Akah MSP
Director, Indigenous Peoples
Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert
2019/2020 INDIGENOUS MINISTRY PLAN OF OUT-REACH
Indigenous Ministry Plan of Action.
The Diocesan Indigenous Ministry Action-Plan Team Members are:
Harry & Germaine Lafond, Tommy & Donna Lightfoot, Srs Anne Burugu Wangui, ASN & Rosemary Kitavi, ASN, Deacon Ghislain Bellavance, Deacon Dan & Janice Lamoureux, Dave McQuaid, Leona Morin and Fr Frederick Akah, MSP.
The Team is open to receiving more interested members especially, from the Indigenous People.
The Team has proposed the following Calendar of Consultation and Engagement Gatherings with the First Nation People across the diocese. Time: 10.00am
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February 29, 2020: - Flying Dust First Nation and surrounding F.N. communities.
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April 25, 2020: - Sturgeon Lake First Nation and surrounding F.N. communities.
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June 6, 2020: Big River First Nation and surrounding F.N. communities
(NOTE: The place of Gatherings is subject to the pastor’s discretion)
The Aim of the Gathering include:
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To establish contact with the deaneries and parishes and invite potential contact/resource persons or group from the communities;
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Identification of the issues and challenges.
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The why and how of moving forward into a development of a plan of action.
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Brainstorm on the possible ways of reaching out and connecting with the First Nation families.
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Plan for possible activities that may attract and bring the best out of the younger generation of the First Nation.
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Collaboration with community chiefs and elders: Which way to go?
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Gather the data that provides recommendations to develop long term plan of continued engagement with Indigenous People, with special attention to the youth/young adults of the communities within the diocese.
GUIDEING QUESTIONS
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What is the best way of reaching-out to the Indigenous people families?
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What are the best ways of encouraging the families and young people to return to Church?
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What type of activities can attract and bring the best out of the younger generation?
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What are the best ways of discouraging the young people from joining gangs; alcohol abuse; drug abuse?
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What are the best ways of dialoguing with and engaging the younger generation?
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In which ways can the chiefs and community elders and, the Church collaborate in finding solution to the identified challenges?
July 30, 2020: - CAMP nehiyawe #2, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.
The Aim of the Camp nehiyawe
The Camp – A Symbol of Unity (for Bridge building)
The Church and the Indigenous people (and of course, different nationalities) coming together to celebrate (the gift of) one another.
The Church promoting Self-Identity and sense of belonging.
The Church playing a part in the restoration of the Indigenous Language/culture.
The Church aims at restoration of confidence, friendship and trust.
We encourage the Deans, the parish priests and administrators of these communities to help to organize and invite the Indigenous parishioners, the Chiefs and Councils (where it is possible) for the Gatherings. The Gatherings should be planned to hold at Community halls.
Rev. Fr. Frederick Akah, MSP,
For the Indigenous Ministry.