Description
The words “Treaty means that your identity is bigger than just you” are
used both literally and metaphorically. “It’s tempting to start the
story of a long journey, even a journey of realization, with the arrival
rather than the first, uncertain, steps. But it’s really those first
steps that prepare for everything else.” “First steps are what this book
is about,” writes Matthew Anderson in his preface, and understanding
Treaty is an essential first step. Treaty – what it meant to the First
Nations and to the Newcomers who originally entered into it, and what it
could and should mean for all of us today – lies at the heart of this
book. Treaty is key to the shared narrative, shared spirituality, and
shared respect for the land that Ray Aldred says are necessary for our
peoples – Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike – to walk well, to live
well together on the land because Treaty still is, or should be, a lived
reality. Treaty doesn’t refer to a onetime, historical event, but to a
lasting, daily way of “living well,” in right relation to each other, to
the land, and to the Creator.
Reverend Doctor Raymond Aldred is a husband, father of four, and
grandfather. He was first ordained with the Christian and Missionary
Alliance in Canada and is now ordained with the Anglican Church of
Canada. He is status Cree from Swan River Band, Treaty 8. Born in
Northern Alberta, he now resides with his wife, Elaine, in Richmond,
British Columbia, Canada. Ray is the director of the Indigenous Studies
Program at the Vancouver School of Theology, whose mission is to partner
with the Indigenous Church around theological education. Ray’s passion
is to help as many as possible hear the gospel in their heart language.
Together, Ray and Elaine have also helped train people to facilitate
support groups for those who have suffered abuse.
Reverend Doctor Matthew Anderson was born and raised on Treaty 4
territory. He is an Affiliate Professor in Theological Studies at
Concordia University, Tio’tiá:ke (Montréal). He was recently appointed
Director of Camino Nova Scotia at the Atlantic School of Theology and is
an ordained Lutheran Pastor. He lives with his wife, Sara, in
Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Matthew is father to three grown children and
has one grandchild. He podcasts at Pilgrimage Stories from Up and Down
the Staircase, and blogs at somethinggrand.ca and unsettledwords.com.