Caledonia Synod - April 14-16, 1972 (Aiyansh, pronounced "EYE-ANN-CH")
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/official5286
- Date
- 1972 April
- Source
- Anglican News Service
- Type
- Press Release
- Text of motion
- In New Aiyansh, British Columbia, 70 miles by logging road from Terrace, an event will take place this spring which is both unique and significant. This is the first time in Canada that an Anglican Diocesan Synod will be held in an Indian village. The synod will be held from April 14 through April 16. This is also the first time that Indian dances, which at one time were forbidden by missionaries, will form an integral part of the synod celebrations, the first time church vestments worn during the synod services will be made from Indian blankets.
- One of the clergy attending, an Indian deacon without seminary training, was selected by his people to be their natural religious leader.
- The native people represent three distinct groups...the Haida...the Skeena River people and the Nishga. In 1916 these peoples were persuaded to destroy their totem poles and many of their native customs were outlawed. However, one village has recently erected a new totem pole in the churchyard. A group of 70 children and adults, many of whom are dancers, drummers and singers will perform the almost forgotten dances.
- The menu for the synod includes baked salmon heads, seaweed cooked either as a vegetable or as a main course, berries, sea lion and moose meat.
- The Nishga tribal council was the first in Canada to make a legal case for aboriginal rights, claiming that they owned the land before the white man arrived and had never agreed to sell or vacate them. In the meantime the issue is before the supreme court. This is bound to have an effect on all such claims by native peoples in Canada.
- Subjects
- Anglican Church of Canada. Diocese of Caledonia
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - Anglican Church of Canada
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - Claims
- Nisga'a - British Columbia
- Indigenous peoples - Canada
- Indigenous spirituality - Anglican Church of Canada
- Christianity and culture - Anglican Church of Canada