THE REASON FOR THIS TITLE, Walking Together in a Good Way, is to acknowledge that we are on a journey. Reconciliation is not a destination. It’s a journey that will last our lifetime and generations to follow. There is always prep time for a trip, contingent on the length and difficulty. This is where we are right now within Canadian history. We still have a lot to learn about the Indigenous perspective of history and Christianity, and also about Indigenous worldview, culture, values, and spirituality. Misunderstanding in Canada about these things is rampant. Many non-Indigenous people say to me, “I have never heard of the Residential Schools.” Those words come from educated, thoughtful, good-hearted Christians in churches across Canada and this is only one example among many misunderstandings.

Now, let’s start off this journey with this acknowledgment, “You don’t know what you don’t know” … and let’s follow that acknowledgment with, “Now that you know, how then shall we live.” Now let’s take that first step.

~ Cheryl Bear