Anglican Indigenous Sacred Circle 2000
Address by Ethel Ahenakew to Archbishop Michael Peers

Port Elgin, Ontario -- August 23, 2000

It is my desire to tell you of my deep gratitude for presenting yourself as a man who is strong and committed enough to stand up in our institution which is organized religion, and be the real person, a person who has heard the pain in the accounts of post-residential school students, and feels compassion enough to voice the words of your Apology.

Bishop Andrew, in his Homily, drew a wonderful picture of you as a face, a person in that stony institution. May God give you strength to influence your colleagues to break down the crystal structure, (I say crystal, because our churches, especially the cathedrals, are beautiful), and give it a new heart. You are both the seed and the plant. As the head of the Anglican Church of Canada, you are the instrument God has chosen to orchestrate the Church to start over, after admitting to the wrongs that your ancestors have committed. We can now start building bridges so that white and aboriginal people can come together and become strong as a church, a church where you have laid a strong foundation with your Apology.

You are truly an angel sent by God to us. I believe God meant you to be given your name, as He knew your purpose for the world. You have lived up to your namesake, Michael, in the bible.

I think that "thank you" does not begin to express the magnitude of what you have done for both the white and the aboriginal people. So I sign my name to this declaration and affirmation, with deep respect and admiration.

Ethel Ahenakew