Burnt Church-2000/11/28-CPT Archives

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Archives

CPTnet
November 28, 2000
ESGENOOPETITJ: Honour is what we are called to

by William Payne

[Note: This piece was written in September.]

A man moves into a neighbourhood and steals a truck from a neighbouring family. Later another man steals the truck from the thief and sells the truck for a few dollars. The guy
who buys the truck knows that the price is much lower than its real value, but he really wants the truck. When he dies, the truck is passed on to his son.

In the meantime the original owner has a child. When the child grows up she announces that she wants her family's truck back.

For several months this year I have stayed in Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church), as a member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams. I have struggled to understand the feelings of the Mi'kmaq in the midst of the present fishing crisis. I have listened to the stories of pain and suffering and joy of the people. This allegory has been born of my listening. They want to use that truck again.

A young man, a warrior, was telling me the other day how he sees things: "We have a right to use the resources of our mother earth." When I responded that it is only just that the Mi'kmaq share in the riches of the earth he objected: "Honour comes first. Justice is only an issue when there is injustice. Honour is what we are all called to."

We get calls or emails almost daily saying that people are praying. I think that many people are realizing that an honourable and just solution to this complex and painful situation is possible, but only if we put our trust in the Creator.

We know in our deepest parts that might does not make right. Mi'kmaq elders have told me that this situation is fundamentally spiritual in nature. After one elder lamented the long history of injustice his people have faced and continue to face, he surprised me by saying that what really matters is love, love of family, of neighbour, and of every person encountered. He emphasized that, while he is not a Christian, he believes that this was the essential message of Jesus as well. How can we come to this discussion as people of love?

One thing that has been stated to me over and over again, by young people and by elders, by women and by men, is that the Mi'kmaq see their relationship with non-native Canadians as Nation-to-Nation. This has come up so often that I am realizing that it is key. I need to struggle with this: What does a Nation-to- Nation relationship look like? How do we come to this discussion as people of honour, as the young Mi'kmaq warrior calls us to? It is my constant hope that, with God's grace, the present conflict can be resolved without lethal violence. Every action I take is done in that hope.

______________________
Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative among Mennonite
and Church of the Brethren congregations and Friends Meetings that supports violence reduction efforts around the world. Contact
CPT, POB 6508 Chicago, IL 60680, TEL. 312-455-1199 FAX 312-
432-1213 / To receive news or discussion of CPT issues by e-
mail, fill out the form found on our WEB page at
http://www.prairienet.org/cpt/


		Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Archives CPTnet November 28, 2000 ESGENOOPETITJ: Honour is what we are called to by William Payne [Note: This piece was written in September.] A man moves into a neighbourhood and steals a truck from a neighbouring family. Later another man steals the truck from the thief and sells the truck for a few dollars. The guy who buys the truck knows that the price is much lower than its real value, but he really wants the truck. When he dies, the truck is passed on to his son. In the meantime the original owner has a child. When the child grows up she announces that she wants her family's truck back. For several months this year I have stayed in Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church), as a member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams. I have struggled to understand the feelings of the Mi'kmaq in the midst of the present fishing crisis. I have listened to the stories of pain and suffering and joy of the people. This allegory has been born of my listening. They want to use that truck again. A young man, a warrior, was telling me the other day how he sees things: "We have a right to use the resources of our mother earth." When I responded that it is only just that the Mi'kmaq share in the riches of the earth he objected: "Honour comes first. Justice is only an issue when there is injustice. Honour is what we are all called to." We get calls or emails almost daily saying that people are praying. I think that many people are realizing that an honourable and just solution to this complex and painful situation is possible, but only if we put our trust in the Creator. We know in our deepest parts that might does not make right. Mi'kmaq elders have told me that this situation is fundamentally spiritual in nature. After one elder lamented the long history of injustice his people have faced and continue to face, he surprised me by saying that what really matters is love, love of family, of neighbour, and of every person encountered. He emphasized that, while he is not a Christian, he believes that this was the essential message of Jesus as well. How can we come to this discussion as people of love? One thing that has been stated to me over and over again, by young people and by elders, by women and by men, is that the Mi'kmaq see their relationship with non-native Canadians as Nation-to-Nation. This has come up so often that I am realizing that it is key. I need to struggle with this: What does a Nation-to- Nation relationship look like? How do we come to this discussion as people of honour, as the young Mi'kmaq warrior calls us to? It is my constant hope that, with God's grace, the present conflict can be resolved without lethal violence. Every action I take is done in that hope. ______________________ Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative among Mennonite and Church of the Brethren congregations and Friends Meetings that supports violence reduction efforts around the world. Contact CPT, POB 6508 Chicago, IL 60680, TEL. 312-455-1199 FAX 312- 432-1213 / To receive news or discussion of CPT issues by e- mail, fill out the form found on our WEB page at http://www.prairienet.org/cpt/