According to Wikipedia – “Christ Church, His Majesty’s Chapel Royal of the Mohawks was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1995. It is recognized because: it is intimately linked with the establishment of the Mohawk peoples in Ontario; as one of two Royal Chapels in Ontario, it represents the historic alliance between the British Crown and the Mohawk peoples as well as their historic and ongoing contribution to Canada.
The heritage value of this site resides in its historical associations as illustrated by physical properties of the church and particular historical artifacts it houses. The American Revolution, in which certain Mohawk groups had fought on the British side, left the Mohawk people dispossessed of their lands, in what is now New York State. Mohawks loyal to the British Crown had come to Tyendinaga in the Bay of Quinte to settle land promised to them by the British for their loyalty and allegiance.
The church, replacing an earlier log structure, was designed by John Howard, and was funded by the Mohawk people. The church’s prominent location on a rise of land overlooking the Bay of Quinte, chosen by the community itself, symbolizes its power for the Mohawk. It was designated a Royal Chapel in 1906, meaning it is set aside for the use of the reigning monarch. Although the spire and most of the interior were destroyed in a 1906 fire, the stone walls survived, and the remainder of the church was faithfully reconstructed by the Mohawk. It continues to house artefacts which symbolize both Mohawk history and the alliance between the Mohawk peoples and the British Crown.’
Last Friday, a group of 20 from All Saints’, Whitby took a road trip to visit this site. Upon entering the church, the first thing that caught my eye was the window above the altar. It was the Good Shepherd window just like the one we see every Sunday.
It was interesting to hear from Charles Maracle, MBQ member and member of the Christ Church Restoration Fund board and from Callie Hill, Executive Director of Tsi Tyonnheht Onkwawenna (TTO) Language and Cultural Centre. Unfortunately, due to my being “directionally challenged”, I was late and arrived as Charles was answering questions. Callie spoke passionately about the importance of reclaiming the Mohawk language for this generation and beyond.
A picnic lunch followed on the pow-wow grounds. After lunch some members of our group went on an adventure in the Tyendinaga Cavern and others went shopping. See below for some pictures of this day.
It was a fun day but also a day to realize the importance of Truth & Reconciliation. I would encourage you all to look for opportunities to discover who the first peoples of this land are. There is so much we can learn from them.
Excerpt from the Prayer of repentance and solidarity with Indigenous Peoples following Canada’s Truth & Reconciliation Commission:
O God, Great Spirit and Creator, We praise you for your gifts that surround us – For the gift of the land that gives us food, shelter and water; For the gift of the sun that gives warmth and light to all that grows; For the gifts of the moon and stars which you have arranged for your glory; For the gifts of language and culture, through which your peoples praise you, and share the most deeply held values you have engraved on their hearts.
Make us stewards – Of one another’s dignity, Of one another’s safety, Of one another’s lands, Of one another’s right to a cultural identity: … as unique peoples, … as gifts to the human family, … as your beloved children.
Pour out your healing love on all who suffered in Canada’s Indian Residential Schools; – on bodies, minds and spirits wounded through abuse, on hearts wounded through separation and disdain, on families wounded through trauma and anguish that still torment over the course of generations.
Good Shepherd, Divine Healer, Great Lover of all peoples. We offer you our desire to walk with our First Nations brothers and sisters and to journey with them on the path of truth, healing and reconciliation
Give us one heart and one mind to walk forward together along this path in the love and strength of your Spirit, in truth, reconciliation and peace. We make this prayer in the power of your Most Holy Name