Special Liturgy for National Indigenous People's Day 2024.

"For Esther and myself, our heart as Non-Indigenous writers was to serve and amplify the Indigenous voice, story, and perspective. As Terry shared so generously with us, it became clear that this litany would hold a multitude of emotions: joy, celebration, and gratitude right alongside grief, sorrow, and lament. The Indigenous story in Canada consists of devastating and painful realities right alongside a rich cultural heritage. As you participate in this litany, we would like to invite you into a pace and posture of careful listening. As faith communities, tread carefully with open eyes and attentive ears and allow the voices of our Indigenous brothers and sisters to impact you deeply." -Erika Kobewka

A Litany for National Indigenous People's Day

Written by Esther Doerksen, Erika Kobewka, & Terry Lauzon

Creator, we acknowledge you as the Maker, Saviour and Sustainer of all.

You have formed us in Your image, drawing us unto Yourself in kinship and

beloved belonging.

Creator, gather us into Your love again.
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The earth is Yours and all of creation declares your splendour, all of humankind

is wonderfully made.

Today we honour the Indigenous People of Turtle Island whose footsteps have

marked these lands for centuries.
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With joy, hope, and celebration.

All creation resounds with Your glory.
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With sorrow, grief, and longing,

All creation cries out for peace.
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Creator joins hands with Mother Earth

And shows us the way

For Love to nourish us

For Hope to sustain us

And for Peace to guide our feet

So all may be free.
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We acknowledge the harm, violence, and wickedness of colonialism:

the destruction of culture, the grievous loss of children,

and the devastation of home and heritage.

We recognize the ways in which these systems of power,

greed, prejudice, and racism have done violence to our shared humanity.

We acknowledge the generational trauma in families and

the real pain that perpetuates these cycles of violence.

We acknowledge the generational impacts on the natural resources

that once flourished in our shared waterways, forests, prairies, and oceans.
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For the ways in which we have dehumanized Your beloved image-bearers,

Lord, have mercy.
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For the ways in which we have violated the land,

Lord, have mercy.
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The Earth groans and travails.

We grieve, we lament, we repent.
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*moment of silence*
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Great Spirit, Breath of Life,

We long to get swept up again in the current of Your ever-flowing river of

grace.

So all may belong,

And be loved,

And celebrated,

And liberated.
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Jesus, our Great Healer and Reconciler, You are acquainted with sorrow and grief. Mend all that is broken and restore all that has been lost.

Draw near the brokenhearted and those who continue to suffer.

Breathe life, hope, and joy into Your children again.
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May we look for ways to honour our Indigenous brothers and sisters:
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By honouring their voice, their wisdom, and their resilience.
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Creator, keep us tethered to one another and to You.
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Let us join hands with each other.
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Triune God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You demonstrate and express to us beloved belonging. We wait with expectant hope, and we open ourselves to the movements of Your Spirit.
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You are reconciling and restoring all things.
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Let it be so within us and among us today,
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Amen.
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For PDF version click A Litany for National Indigenous People's Day.pdf