EAC Challenge for 2026
One of the four pillars that Grace directed the Education and Advocacy Committee to focus on is Indigenous Peoples.
Throughout 2026 EAC will be utilizing the book “52 Ways to Reconcile – How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing” by David A. Robertson* to provide opportunities to explore how we at Grace – both communally and individually – can be intentional in how we participate in reconciliation. Each week in Grace-Line we will highlight an opportunity from this book to encourage reflection and participation. We are not expecting everyone to take action on each suggestion each week – or even that particular week – however we hope that taking time to review and reflect upon the weekly possibilities will encourage some reconciliation action over the course of the year. For example, one may be interested in the suggestion in Week 9 (supporting an Indigenous musician); however, such an opportunity might not occur until Week 37.
EAC will endeavour to coordinate some communal reconciliation opportunities over the course of the year – including incorporation thereof during Sunday worship.
You may be thinking – what can I – one person – do that will make a difference in this very complex exercise of reconciliation? Well, contained in the front of this book is the following quote by Edward Everett Hale:
‘I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.’
Are you up for the challenge? We hope so. Two copies of this book are also available in the church library.
Week 1: Host a Movie Night
Robertson wants us to view authentic Indigenous television shows and films – because as demand for them increases, the more that will be created. However, such media examples should not just have one Indigenous actor in them to qualify. They need to involve Indigenous people in all areas of the production – actors, writers, directors, support crew, etc. Even if your “hosting” involves only you (and those you live with) – from EAC’s perspective – it still counts :). You may find other options – and we would love to hear your critiques on them.
Some examples Robertson provides are:
– Reservation Dogs (2021-2023) – an American comedy drama series available on CBC Gem. This production also includes characters representing the Queer Community.
– Smoke Signals (1998) – a coming-of-age comedy-drama based on Sherman Alexie’s short story collection The Lone Ranger and Toto Fistfight in Heaven available on Crave and Amazon Prime. The film won several awards, and accolades and was well received at numerous film festivals.
– Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001) – a documentary/drama and the first feature film to be written, directed, produced, and acted entirely in the Inuktitut language available on CBC Gem and Crave. This film premiered at Cannes where it won the Camera d’Or and later won six Genie Awards (Canadian equivalent of the Academy Awards).
– Blood Quantum (2019) – a Canadian horror film written, directed and edited by Jeff Barnaby (Mi’kimaq) and available on CBC Gem, Crave, and Amazon Prime. It premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and was second runner-up for the People’s Choice Award: Midnight Madness.
Get the popcorn ready!!
* David A. Robertson is a two-time Governor General’s Literary Award winner and has won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award and the Writers’ Union of Canada Freedom to Read Award. He has received several other accolades for his work as a writer for children and adults, podcaster, public speaker, and social advocate. He was honoured with a Doctor of Letters from the University of Manitoba in 2023 and a Doctor of Laws from the University of Lethbridge in 2025. He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg. [Taken verbatim from www.darobertson.ca ]