National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Trinity United

Join us at Trinity United on Sunday, September 24 as we welcome guests Charlene and Wilson Bearhead & observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Trinity United invites you to join us for worship as we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on the Sunday before Sept 30.

We invite you to wear orange if you are able to. If you do not have an orange shirt, remember the story and think about things that you have that help you to feel connected to family and community.

Guests Charlene and Wilson Bearhead will join us during worship to help us learn about developments toward reconciliation and the calls to action with particular attention related to education. They will be speaking during worship as well as staying after the service for further discussion time.

Please note, there is ongoing construction in the Meadowlark community. You may need to allow extra time. There is parking behind the church or in the neighbourhood.

Charlene Bearhead FRCGS- Vice President, Learning and Reconciliation at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society- is an educator, Indigenous education advocate and author with over 35 years of regional, national and international experience. Charlene is the co-author of the children’s book series, Siha Tooskin Knows and contributor to multiple anthologies and reconciliation focused resources.

Most recently Charlene served as a member of the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle for the National Film Board of Canada and in an advisory capacity with Nelson Education. Previously Charlene served as education days coordinator for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, education coordinator for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, education advisor for the Canadian Geographic Indigenous People’s Atlas of Canada and member of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Indigenous Education working group. Charlene also served as the first education lead for both the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba and the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at UBC.

Wilson Bearhead is Nakota, a member of the Wabamun Lake First Nation in Treaty 6 territory and the co-author of the children’s book series, Siha Tooskin Knows. Wilson has served as Chief in his own community, Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty 6 as well as the Assembly of First Nations Alberta Regional Chief. Wilson was the first Elder in Residence for Edmonton Public Libraries before moving to serve as the Elder for Elk Island Public Schools for 4 years and is now the Elder in Residence at Victoria School for the Arts in Edmonton Public Schools. Wilson is the recent recipient of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation Indigenous Elder Award. Wilson’s grandmother Annie was a powerful, positive influence in his young life, teaching him all of the lessons that gave him the strength, knowledge, and skills to overcome difficult times and embrace the gifts of life.