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Winnipeg Free Press

Grandfather rock, symbolic sweat lodge on archdiocese grounds described as important symbols of reconciliation

After smudging and a prayer for the Creator's blessing, a grandfather rock and symbolic sweat lodge were unveiled Friday on the grounds of the Archdiocese of St. Boniface bishop's residence. The 1.5-metre-tall M'shoomis Asin, or grandfather rock, was donated to the archdiocese by a parishioner five years ago. The symbolic sweat lodge was welded by students at Murdoch MacKay Collegiate. Also unveiled at the ceremony was a panel about sweat lodges and grandfather rocks, which Indigenous people believe are sacred because they contain generational knowledge and a spirit. A panel with information about the grandfather rock appears in English, French, Lakota and Ojibwe. A second panel, in English and French, describes the role of sweat lodges in Indigenous tradition and culture. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS The 1.5-metre-tall M'shoomis Asin, or grandfather rock, was donated to the archdiocese by a parishioner five years ago. In his address, St. Boniface Archbishop Albert LeGatt said the grandfather rock and sweat lodge were important additions to the grounds, which also contain statues and panels acknowledging the work of religious orders in the province in nearby Heritage Park. LeGatt said the decision to recognize the importance of the rock was made last year when an elder told him it was, in fact, a sacred grandfather rock. LeGatt reached out to Clayton Sandy, an elder from the Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation, to find a way to acknowledge its significance. They came up with an idea to surround it with a symbolic sweat lodge, since heated rocks are a crucial part of those healing ceremonies. Together, they 'remind us of the richness of Indigenous tradition' and the history of the archdiocese, LeGatt told the 75 or so people gathered for the ceremony. He noted 'there have been moments of darkness in that history,' but by recognizing the grandfather rock and sweat lodges on church grounds the archdiocese is showing its commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous people, and to taking seriously the calls to action directed at churches by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In this way, the archdiocese was showing 'the inherent value and worth of Indigenous spiritual values,' LeGatt said. In his remarks, Sandy noted the significance of the two items on church grounds since, for many years, Indigenous spiritual practices and traditional teachings were suppressed by the Roman Catholic Church. The unveiling showed that Roman Catholics and Indigenous people were making progress in the journey of reconciliation, he said, adding 'if we don't come together with open minds, nothing changes.' RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS The grandfather rock and symbolic sweat lodge are located in front of the bishop's residence, built in 1864, at the corner of de la Cathedrale and Taché avenues. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. Speaking about the students who made the symbolic sweat lodge, Murdoch MacKay Collegiate welding teacher Collin Doyle said they 'really took ownership' of the project, and through it learned about the cultural significance. Vice-principal Jordan Zoppa added that for the students 'it was not just an assignment. They took it as a responsibility… they showed up with curiosity in their hearts.' LeGatt said he hopes the additions to the grounds will indicate to Indigenous people that 'this is a safe place and all are welcome.' For Sandy, whose parents and six siblings are residential school survivors — he was a '60s Scoop child — the event was significant because it was a 'symbol of healing between Indigenous people and the church… we have come a long way.' The grandfather rock and symbolic sweat lodge are located in front of the bishop's residence, built in 1864, at the corner of de la Cathedrale and Taché avenues. faith@ The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba. If you appreciate that coverage, help us do more! Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow us to deepen our reporting about faith in the province. Thanks! BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER John LonghurstFaith reporter John Longhurst has been writing for Winnipeg's faith pages since 2003. He also writes for Religion News Service in the U.S., and blogs about the media, marketing and communications at Making the News. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.