The House of Mem Centre for Spiritual Development acknowledges and understands the responsibility of honouring the truth of the past and the wrongs inflicted on Indigenous peoples of Canada and Indigenous communities around the world by European colonization. We recognize as a spiritual society; we have a long way to go to cultivate inter-faith tolerance and acceptance for each individual’s rights to practice their form of spirituality and self-governance. Since our onset in 2017, our society has been educating the public of First Nation’s practices and sharing the rich knowledge and wisdom of the local peoples. We are fortunate to have our founder, who is a First Nation’s person, that has undertaken apprenticeship and acquired the honour to be a Pipe Holder. Through them, many individuals in the community have had the opportunity to experience Native American Ceremonies and learn more about the local Indigenous ways of life, fostering a greater appreciation and awareness of the culture, including present and future needs.
We recognize that we live with-in the lands of the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta encompassing the traditional territory of:
- The Blackfoot Confederacy comprising the Siksika (Sik-see–gaa), Kainai (Gaa-Naw), and Piikani (Bee–gaa–knee) nations (also called Peigan)
- The Tsuut'ina (Soots-in–naw) First Nations
- The Stoney Nakoda Nations of Chiniki, Wesley and Bearspaw
Our society upholds and honours the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada - Calls to action, primarily implementing the Calls to Action #48, #49;
#48. We call upon the church parties to the Settlement Agreement, and all other faith groups and interfaith social justice groups in Canada who have not already done so, to formally adopt and comply with the principles, norms, and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation. This would include, but not be limited to, the following commitments:
#49. We call upon all religious denominations and faith groups who have not already done so to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius.
#48. We call upon the church parties to the Settlement Agreement, and all other faith groups and interfaith social justice groups in Canada who have not already done so, to formally adopt and comply with the principles, norms, and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation. This would include, but not be limited to, the following commitments:
- Ensuring that their institutions, policies, programs, and practices comply with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Respecting Indigenous peoples’ right to self- determination in spiritual matters, including the right to practise, develop, and teach their own spiritual and religious traditions, customs, and ceremonies, consistent with Article 12:1 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Engaging in ongoing public dialogue and actions to support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Issuing a statement no later than March 31, 2016, from all religious denominations and faith groups, as to how they will implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
#49. We call upon all religious denominations and faith groups who have not already done so to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius.
