UNDERCURRENTS

*This is a special early release of one episode from the upcoming Season 2 of Undercurrents. Look for the rest of Season 2 in September!*

This is the story of how one man, who used to work at a residential school, has spent the rest of his life trying to hold himself accountable, and what it means for other Settler Canadians.

Transcription of the episode can be found here.

National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419.

Kid’s Help Phone line 24/7: 1-800-668-6868

https://kidshelpphone.ca/

Merle Nisly’s reaction to the uncovering of 215 Indigenous children in Kamloops. https://mnisly.com/the-impact-of-215/

Stories of repair: a reparative justice resource. A very practical booklet of 'next steps' for churches and individuals to take: https://dofdmenno.org/stories-of-repair/

“Every child matters” - Indigenous History Month:

https://mcco.ca/remembering

TRC 94 Calls to Action:

http://trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

Justice Sinclair: “TRC One Year Later”

https://youtu.be/_MhqF4yeSXo?t=241

“Change may not look like what you thought it would”

CBC - news: “Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKKLgwlosaw

Some history of Northern Light Gospel Missions and Poplar Hill

https://ontariomennonitehistory.org/2015/06/08/ontario-mennonites-and-the-poplar-hill-development-school/

Canadian Mennonite series: https://canadianmennonite.org/articles/how-complicit-are-mennonites-residential-school-abuse

“A first step towards healing” - Personal reflection on the first TRC event (June 2010)

https://canadianmennonite.org/articles/first-step-towards-healing

“MC Canada shares the pain of Indian Residential School legacy” - A report on discussions at MC Canada Assembly 2010 https://canadianmennonite.org/articles/mc-canada-shares-pain-indian-residential-school-legacy

Edited by Christen Kong

Mixed by Francois Goudrealt of Hello Francy Sound and Music

Production Research by Seun Olowo-Ake

Original music by Brian MacMillan

Listeners call in from around the world with messages of insight, gratitude, and inspiration for our interview subjects ... and one call that missed the mark but made the cut.

Thank you to all who responded!

Undercurrents is produced with support from Kindred Credit Union.

Original music by Brian MacMillan 

Artwork by Jesse Bergen

Sponsored in part by Kindred Credit Union

We hear stories from a residential school survivor that she refuses to tell her own family; we hear from indigenous partners who are working to reclaim their culture; and settlers wrestle with their evolving relationship with Canada (it’s complicated).

Links:

Woodland Cultural Centre’s Save The Evidence campaign.

VIDEO: Sandy Yuen and Nick Hamm share about their experience learning from indigenous leaders and working at the Mohawk Institute Residential School.

VIDEO: Karen Hill shares part of her story as a survivor of Mohawk Institute Residential School along with visuals of the Mohawk building looks like, inside and out.

Learn more about MCC’s Indigenous Neighbours program

Deeper reading (which we will be getting into more in Season 2!)

Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.

Statement from Mennonite Church Leaders in response to TRC.

Theme song and other original music from Brian MacMillan.

Artwork by Jesse Bergen.

Licensed music from deWolfe Music.

Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union.

We would have been hearing great feedback from you - THANK YOU. It reminded us that especially during this time of self quarantine and physical isolation, it would be especially meaningful for those who shared their stories so vulnerably and candidly, to hear from YOU. 

We are asking you to send a note of encouragement, gratitude, inspiration, etc, to our podcast guests who shared their stories with us.

Please send your notes of encouragement, thanks, etc to [email protected] or even better, leave a voicemail at 519-745-8458 ext 233. Toll free at 1-800-313-6226 ext 233.

(Please leave your contact information in case we'd like to get your permission to share your message in a future update.)

We are so grateful for people like Wayne (Ep 2: Wayne's World) who shared about his life and journey to stable housing.

There’s Patrick and his family (Ep 3: Refugees and Piano Lessons)  who used music and language to stay connected to their culture after arriving in Canada as a refugees.

Or Maria (Ep 4: Radical Acceptance) who taught us the power of radical acceptance after two stints in prison.

And Israeli peace activist Sahar Vardi (Ep 5: David and Goliath) who had been imprisoned by her own government for advocating for Palestinian human rights.

Or crusty old MCC staff like Pete Olson (Ep 1: Being Jesus) who shared his testimony and how it challenged him to work with people who were made homeless.

What happens when David becomes Goliath? This is our only international episode in Season 1. We explore the tragic realities of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, and hear from those on both sides of the wall working for peace.

What can you do?

When confronted with the enormity of this story, we might feel angry, dispairing, or helpless. Here are a few action items for you to do to work toward Palestinian justice:

Advocate:

Sign this petition. It is a call for the Canadian government to "request that Israel immediately lift the blockade on Gaza to enable medical and humanitarian aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, and insist that Israel permanently end its blockade of Gaza; and vote at the UN General Assembly in alignment with the majority of the international community taking a stance in line with international law and human rights for Palestinians."

Sign this petition. No Way To Treat A Child Canada - "I urge you to prioritize human rights of Palestinian children and hold Israeli authorities accountable for widespread and systematic ill-treatment and torture of Palestinian child detainees. "

Donate:

Support MCC's work in Palestine and Israel.

Pray:

Click here to read or download this beautiful prayer for peace for Palestinians and Israelis.

Links:

A Cry For Home - a rich resource of stories from Palestinians and Jews living in Palestine and Israel.

Wi’am: The Palestinian Conflict Transformation Centre, where Tareq Al-Zougbi works.

Implications of US “Peace Plan” for Middle East  

US Congressional Research Service report on Israel - detailing US military aid to Israel over the years.

Credits:

Theme song and other original music from Brian MacMillan.

Artwork by Jesse Bergen.

Licensed music from deWolfe Music.

Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union.

Leave us a message at [email protected] or 519-745-8458 ext 233. We would love to hear from you!

Restaurants and restorative justice. Shame vs accountability.  And what it takes to be a bridge from prison to community.

Links:

Restorative Justice (RJ) program at MCC in Ontario: mcco.ca/rj

Faith Community Re-integration Program (FCRP) is a program funded by Correctional Service Canada.

Credits:

Theme song and other original music from Brian MacMillan.

Artwork by Jesse Bergen.

Licensed music from deWolfe Music.

Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union.

Forced migration, the unique way Canadians can protect lives, and how music is helping one resettled family stay grounded. (This was originally the pilot episode created Fall 2018 but has been updated to reflect current statistics).

Links:

Choose Welcome - a national campaign for Canadians to transform lives through refugee sponsorship: www.choosewelcome.ca

Credits:

Theme song and other original music from Brian MacMillan.

Artwork by Jesse Bergen.

Licensed music from deWolfe Music.

Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union.

From a childhood lesson, to homelessness, to dress shopping, Wayne shares one of the most valuable things we can receive: the gift of a stranger’s story.

Links:

Circle of Friends: https://mcccanada.ca/learn/more/circle-friends

Credits:

Assistant producer: Broderick Visser

Theme song and other original music from Brian MacMillan.

Licensed music from deWolfe Music.

Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union.

This episode is about homelessness, an obnoxious ex-pastor, and the age old question: What would Jesus do (and why don’t we do it)?

Links:

TOOLS program: https://www.mcctools.net/

Interview with Dr. Sam Tsemberis from the Housing First website: https://youtu.be/pMLsG8x-3Rs

Excellent resource on homelessness in Canada with statistics, research, and case studies: https://www.homelesshub.ca/

Assistant producer: Broderick Visser

Theme song and other original music from Brian MacMillan.

Licensed music from deWolfe Music.

Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union.

Welcome to MCC Ontario's first podcast!

Undercurrents is an experiment - a new way of sharing the stories we are privileged to hear through our work. From starting a new life after prison, to piano lessons in a new world, we hear from program participants, volunteers, staff, and others, who face each day with courage and hope.

Most of the stories will be from our local programs here in Ontario but we may occasionally jump out to stories from across Canada or even an internationally story if we can wrangle it.

Season 1 drops on April 15th.

Subscribe to Undercurrents at Apple podcasts or Google podcasts so you don’t miss an episode.

Produced with support from Kindred Credit Union. 

Original music by Brian MacMillan.