Churches join forces for Freedom Road
Building a “road to reconciliation and a bridge over troubled waters”
WINNIPEG, MB—A group of churches have joined forces to advocate for Shoal Lake 40, a First Nation community that has been isolated for a century and under a boil water advisory for 17 years.
The group, “Churches for Freedom Road,” is pushing for the federal government to fund the construction of an all-weather road and water treatment plan, putting an end to what they are calling a “historic injustice,” while others believe the road to reconciliation should follow a different path.
Shoal Lake 40 straddles the Manitoba-Ontario border, 180 kilometres east of Winnipeg, Manitoba. A century ago, the community was cut off from the mainland when the city of Winnipeg—backed by the federal government—relocated the village to a peninsula (eventually becoming an island), so a 137-kilometere aqueduct could be built to supply Winnipeg with clean drinking water.
The First Nation community, which some of its 266 residents refer to as “Alcatraz,” has limited access to the outside world, except through a ferry and winter roads. While Winnipeg (half the population of Manitoba) has been enjoying clean water for nearly a century, Shoal Lake’s water is polluted, safe only when boiled and treated with chlorine.
Since 1998, the federal government had earmarked $7.6 million to build a water treatment plant, but abandoned the project in 2011 when the costs of the project nearly doubled. Ottawa couldn’t justify absorbing the rising costs of such a project in a community that was declining in population.
The $30 million construction of “Freedom Road,” coined by Shoal Lake 40 residents, would provide a logistical pathway needed to build the water treatment plant, as well as provide greater access to outside services and opportunities for economic development.
Inspired by the response of grassroots organizations and the perseverance of Shoal Lake 40 residents, a group of Winnipeg-based faith communities has emerged, calling themselves “Churches for Freedom Road.”
Jeff Friesen is a member of the group’s organizing committee and the associate pastor of Charleswood Mennonite Church. “Churches for Freedom Road was created to mobilize church congregations to join and support initiatives that were already happening.”
Among the initiatives, congregants are being encouraged to sign the “Road to Reconciliation” petition that will be sent to the Minister of Natural Resources, Greg Rickford, which has almost reached its goal of 7,000 signatures. People are also being encouraged to contribute to Rick Harp’s crowdfunding Fundrazr campaign, which has raised nearly $80,000 of the $10 million needed to build the road.
Churches involved have posted “We Support Shoal Lake 40 Freedom Road” on their signs, with a plan to gather photos of all the signs for a large collage poster that will be put up across the city of Winnipeg and sent to each Member of Parliament.
“Our congregation has been passionate about trying to build right relationships with our First Nations sisters and brothers right from the get go,” says Jeff. “We believe this is a justice issue, and for us faith and justice are inseparable.”
Jeff visited Shoal Lake 40 and was present when the federal government made the announcement that they would only be providing $1 million for the design study. “It was a tough day. The people of Shoal Lake 40 were warm, gracious and hospitable to everyone who visited, including government officials. But there was also tears, anger and frustration.”
Steve Bell, a well-known Canadian singer/songwriter, is a partner and outspoken supporter of the cause, particularly as it relates to Canada in a post-Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) era.
“We, in Canada, have spent the last few years hearing and absorbing the painful truth of First Nations-Settler relations [in our country’s history], but the hard road of reconciliation still lies ahead,” says Bell. “This particular instance is deeply symbolic in that it involves a road and a bridge: a road to reconciliation and a bridge over troubled waters. Those two metaphors together are rich with symbolic potential, but the symbols have to be incarnated to have integrity or any use.”
Bell says he believes it is the fiduciary responsibility of the federal government to act for the welfare of Shoal Lake 40 under treaty law and the Indian Act. By not doing so, he says the federal government is “deepening the wound” that the TRC has intended heal.
But not everyone agrees with how to move forward with healing and reconciliation.
Henry Friesen, an expert in the financial sector who is in conversation with First Nations leadership, asks the question some Canadians may already be thinking: “Can aboriginals on distant reserves…overcome the past if they continue living in remote places?”
He adds: “Would providing a road and water treatment plant at a cost of $100,000 per person help? Or is that the wrong question? Would the better question be: At what location will the next generation have the best chance of thriving? The aboriginal population is growing. Solutions are needed.”
The history of residential schools is remembered as an attempt by the Church and federal government to assimilate—through relocation—First Nations people into wider society. However, instead of helping First Nations people thrive, it stripped them or their identity, leading to what the TRC controversially referred to as “cultural genocide.”
Moses Falco, a member of Churches for Freedom Road’s organizing committee and the pastor of Sterling Mennonite Fellowship, believes that solutions should come from Shoal Lake 40 residents, rather than being forced from the outside. “As people of faith we want to support them in what they need versus what is our solution and how can we impose it on them.”
In the end, he hopes the federal government comes to see that it’s a “human rights issue, not a financial issue.” And yet in the same breath, he says, “A $30 million road and water treatment plant in exchange for 100 years of clean drinking water is a pretty good deal. It’s certainly the responsible thing to do.”
“But where does it stop?” asks Henry Friesen. “There’s still a huge piece of the puzzle missing.”
“Does it make sense to spend $100,000 per person…if there is no work or opportunities for youth to thrive in the future? A road might help, but it would likely be a long commute to a job.”
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
