Soaking in Wisdom - Linlathen Lectures

Linlathen Lectures – A Rocha Ontario at Windstone Farm
June 28 – July 1, 2018

Beckwith — If you ever have the opportunity to have extended-time with Cheryl Bear or Loren & Mary-Ruth Wilkinson, you’ll want to soak in their wisdom because you’re going to learn something about the intersection of God and Land.

Every summer, the Linlathen Lectures happen on the Snimikobi Algonquin First Nations traditional territory, also known as Windstone Farm. This year, the theme was The Theological Knowing of Land and so Cheryl Bear, Nadleh Whut’en from the Dakelh Nation and Dumdenyoo Clan (Bear clan), brought indigenous stories and wisdom while Loren & Mary-Ruth, from Galiano Island, brought deep experiences of their place and how we can understand God and land.

Many A Rochaites have heard of Loren & Mary-Ruth and some have even stayed at their home on Galiano–so this story focuses on a few things Cheryl brought to the weekend learning event. Read their bios here.

#1. Some basics of ‘Acknowledgements’

The practice of acknowledgements is about remembering where you come from and who knows you. Generally, in indigenous culture an acknowledgement is the first statement used upon meeting someone new or starting an event. In western culture so much of identity is formed by the question, “what do you do?” Indigenous wisdom reminds us that we are also connected to places or the question, “where are you from?” So this is quite an important practice for building an awareness, respect and care for communities and places. Something A Rocha cares about deeply.

#2. Ceremonial Drumming

The ceremonial drumming is often a way of praying to “the Creator”. Cheryl taught participants how to see this very embodied prayer as a prayer to God. She humoured participants by her whimsical spirit and teaching people through removing stigmas associated with the practice of Pow Wow. Her wise insights helped people see how much the cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples could provide wisdom to Western understandings of religious ceremonies.

#3. Loss of Indigenous wisdom about the land

Cheryl also brought clarity to how so much indigenous wisdom about the land has been intentionally marginalized in Canada. People cried as they heard painful and dark stories about assimilation through the Residential schools. Many languages have been lost and with that, many ideas about how to live well on this land.

Yet, the power of Cheryl’s wisdom was not without hope. She told story after story about her desire to learn from the “Elders” and people who hold the stories of her culture. She esteemed the Elders for their courage to ask for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. And reminded participants that before reconciliation, there is great need for truth-telling.

Hopefully, you can begin to see a few intersections between Indigenous wisdom, God and keeping the land. Over this conference, various people experienced moments of new wisdom akin to the beautiful fireflies that danced across the acres of farmland each night.

There is certainly lots more to explore, so please enjoy the resources below or reach out to us (call 1-888-953-9275) to learn more about Linlathen and A Rocha’s work.