At a recent ECHS chapel, our High School students and staff listened to a thought-provoking message delivered by Father Travis of St. Faith’s Anglican Church and teacher Mrs. Knol. They emphasized Christ’s call to foster reconciliation and meaningful connections among ourselves and with the land, emphasizing empathy and understanding in our interactions.
Central to the message from Mrs. Knol was the question: Can we change the world with a feather? This question sparked reflections on the significance of the Treaty 6 land acknowledgment and aimed to inspire students to delve deeper into its meaning and implications. Drawing from Scripture and indigenous beliefs, Mrs. Knol spoke on the symbolism of feathers as embodiments of God’s justice, faith, hope, and love.
Acknowledging the importance of right relationships with indigenous peoples and the land, students were encouraged to approach the land acknowledgment with renewed understanding and openness. The chapel acknowledged historical injustices and committed to the pursuit of reconciliation and right relationships. The stained glass feather emerged as a powerful symbol of our dedication to love, empathy, understanding, and compassion toward others, echoing the teachings of Christ.
One of the event’s highlights was the unveiling of stunning stained glass feathers, handcrafted by our talented Art 20/30 students as part of a FLEx project. These feathers, meticulously designed and executed, carry profound symbolism. They represent our connection to God, His loving care, protection, joy, and hope. As a gesture of gratitude for the work of St. Faith’s and Father Travis, the students have generously gifted these feathers to the church, reserving one for permanent display within its walls. Father Travis will present the remaining feathers to his community leaders, symbolizing their commitment to nurturing unity and support within the community.
The chapel concluded with a heartfelt prayer for justice, truth, and the ability to love one’s neighbours as oneself. Students and staff prayed for God’s guidance in spreading love and understanding to the wider world. Through the symbolism of feathers, the commitment to living and loving in accordance with God’s desires, with empathy and compassion, was reaffirmed.
As we journey forward, may we carry the lessons learned and the spirit of reconciliation with us, endeavouring to create a world where love, empathy, and understanding prevail.
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Our Commitments:
- These feathers are a sign of our desire to live and love in the same way that Christ loves and the way that God desires us to live and love.
- These feathers are a sign of our desire to have empathy and understanding for others.
- These feathers are a sign of our commitment to being compassionate and loving and to being good neighbours here in our city and on our land.
