St Mary's is excited and honoured to be among the initial partners in a new network of community organizations seeking to advance the process of Truth and Reconciliation in Oak Bay.
ReconciliACTION Oak Bay [website under development] is a collaboration of Oak Bay-based organizations committed to building community to community relationships with the Songhees and Esquimalt peoples and taking concrete action to build a just future together.
Founding members are the Community Association of Oak Bay, Oak Bay United Church and St Mary’s Anglican Church, with other organizations expected to come on board in the near future in a growing network of collaborators.
ReconciliACTION OB is animated by the spirit of the Sno’uyutth Welcome Pole which was raised on the grounds of Oak Bay High School to “spread good energy” and symbolize the beginning of a new relationship between the Oak Bay community and the Songhees and Esquimalt peoples in whose traditional territory Oak Bay is situated. The pole was raised on November 22, 2015, which date has since been proclaimed annually as Sno’uyutth Day In Oak Bay. The pole was designed by Songhees artist Butch Dick and carved by his late son, Clarence. It was commissioned by the Community Association of Oak Bay and funded by contributions from many community partners.
ReconciliACTION OB supports public engagement and action around Truth-telling and Reconciliation to foster awareness of the importance and potential elements of Reconciliation.
Initial events organized and facilitated by ReconciliACTION Oak Bay include:
- Sept 30, 10am: Honouring Residential Schools children and survivors at the Sno'uyutth Welcome Pole at Oak Bay High School
- Oct 1, 7pm: Screening the documentary Picking Up the Pieces: The Making of the Witness Blanket