Brantford, ON

I appreciated reading John Muttiah’s letter, Post July/August p. 31, with his references to CIDA, Kairos and relationships with Indigenous peoples. I regret that my response was too late to make the September deadline because I wanted to ask our readers a question to consider in casting their votes in the October federal election. I also wanted to ask if we are truly ready to grow in reconciliation with our Indigenous neighbours.

First, CIDA and Kairos. I have seen first- hand some of the results of CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) working in partnership with other agencies, like Kairos and CLWR, to respond with people opening their hands to Canada and Canadians in hope and searching for life. Many were blessed and together with others grew food to sustain themselves, nurture selfhood, improve health care, and cultivate a surplus for family aspirations. Hands so blessed, offered thanks and praised Canada.

That seems like a lifetime ago because CIDA has been replaced by DFAIT (Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development) which is implicated increasingly in uninvited surveillance as well as supporting indefensible Canadian mining and resource extraction at the cost of lives extinguished, dignity denied, health weakened and broken, and families destroyed without land and livelihood. Canada’s agencies have been changed and Canada has taken on an increasingly arrogant, belligerent image. Lives touched by the new Canadian reality raise their hands in rage and curse Canada.

I wanted to ask, “Is this the kind of change for which we vote?”

But I also wanted to touch on relation- ships with Indigenous peoples by asking if we really and truly want reconciliation. Two questions, one book and one movie help shape my answer.

1. Am I a treaty person? If I answer, “No,” then reconciliation is not in the cards for me.

2. What is a treaty? Read Nathan Tidridge’s The Queen at the Council Fire: The Treaty of Niagara, Reconciliation, and the Dignified Crown in Canada (Toronto: Dun- durn, 2015). Watch Alanis Obamsawin’s Trick or Treaty? (NFB). These are excellent resources for congregational study and group discussion.