“We can’t change the past, but we can listen deeply, with our hearts, to those who feel they can speak. … And we can work toward a future of hope, healing and right relationships with all.” Sister Donna Geernaert, Co-chair of Moving Forward Together Campaign. 

Our Congregation has participated in the Truth and Reconciliation process from the beginning, working with the Government of Canada on a comprehensive settlement of claims and on initiatives for healing, reconciliation and education.  We have provided funding towards healing and reconciliation programs, and Sister Donna Geernaert served as co-chair of the Moving Forward Together Campaign for several years, helping to raise funds towards healing and educational programs.

Several of our Sisters were actively involved in planning and participating in regional gatherings and national events.  Five of our Sisters were part of the Returning to Spirit program, which consisted of two week-long reconciliation experiences.

Looking forward, we have established two bursaries to help Aboriginal women.  In Vancouver, BC, the Congregation has partnered with REED (Resist Exploitation, Embrace Dignity) to create the Women Rising Bursary for Aboriginal women who have been trafficked.  Sisters of Charity have committed to providing $2,000 annually for 10 years.  An Aboriginal Student Bursary has also been established at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, NS, in the amount of $2,000 annually.  The bursary will be awarded to an Aboriginal student, with preference given to a female returning to school as a mature student.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was established in 2008 under the terms of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.  As noted on the TRC website: “Its mandate is to inform all Canadians about what happened in Indian Residential Schools (IRS). The Commission will document the truth of survivors, families, communities and anyone personally affected by the IRS experience.”

The members of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement came to an understanding that:  “There is an emerging and compelling desire to put the events of the past behind us so that we can work toward a stronger and healthier future. The truth-telling and reconciliation process, as part of an overall holistic and comprehensive response to the Indian Residential School legacy, is a sincere indication and acknowledgement of the injustices and harms experienced by Aboriginal people and the need for continued healing. This is a profound commitment to establishing new relationships embedded in mutual recognition and respect that will forge a brighter future. The truth of our common experiences will help set our spirits free and pave the way to reconciliation.” (from www.trc.ca)

We believe that all creation is sacred and interconnected, and interdependent … We believe that a small group of committees persons can help change the world.

Our ministries and values reflect much that is found within the Earth Charter (which we endorsed) and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals, and within Pope Francis’ Laudato si.

We have had this agenda for a very long time. To name a few endeavours:

• Our Corporate Stance statements on Debt, Water and Human Trafficking
• Our water projects for the people of Peru and the Dominican Republic
• Creating workshops that show the connection between our present economic system and the devastation of the earth and the poor
• Congregational donations to areas of devastation
• Our educational work around climate change
• Providing resources such as videos and readings on care of the earth and our right relationship with all created life
• Economic and social justice and peace-making efforts
• Sponsoring retreats focused on the New Cosmology and the work of Thomas Berry and Brian Swimme

All of these efforts are part of the larger work for the common good and the flourishing of the Earth. They pre-date Pope Francis’ Laudato si and its call for an ecological conversion of heart: “So what they all (Christians) need is an ‘ecological conversion’ whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them. Living our vocations to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to life of virtue.” By joining the millions of others engaged in this work, we bring light and hope to our earth and all of creation.

The Sisters of Charity-Halifax have a long history of working with others to ensure that all of our financial decisions and investments are values-based.

For instance, the Congregation has been an active member of the American ICCR (the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility) for many years and more recently, of SHARE (Shareholder Association for Research and Education) in Canada.

ICCR is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year.  It is a pioneer coalition of shareholder advocates who use investments for social change.  Its members include faith communities, socially responsible asset managers, unions, pensions and NGOs with combined assets of $200-billion.  Focus areas include climate change, water stewardship, human trafficking, health care and food production. 

Some of our recent actions include signing on to a statement on the Dakota pipeline and the effect it would have on the Sioux Tribe, and another supporting affordable health care legislation in the US.  We have also been able to pursue transparency in the business supply chain and its impact on human trafficking.  

Through our membership in ICCR , SHARE and regional groups, we are able to maximize our power, to have our voices heard and to have a greater impact.