The rafters of the Capilano Long House, a sacred meeting ground of the Squamish Indian nation, rang with laughter and the languages of many nations, at a conference in Vancouver, Canada, in June. Two hundred and thirty-four people from 28 nations were guests at the traditional salmon bake given by the Squamish. It illustrated the conviction of First Nation leaders that their cultures may offer healing from modern stresses and restore respect for Mother Earth.
Present were Cambodian survivors of the killing fields looking for peace in their war-torn land, Muslim and Christian Eritreans asking for help to unite their country after the ending of their civil war, native and Indian Fijians working to ease tensions on their island, Canadians of different languages and provinces proclaiming a purpose in which their diversity was an asset.
The event was part of the 'Healing tides of change' conference, sponsored by Moral Re-Armament and held at the University of British Columbia.
Dr Simon Baker, Elder of the Squamish nation, welcomed guests to the reserve. Responding on behalf of the visitors, Papua New Guinea's Minister of Provincial Affairs, Father John Momis, said, 'Those of us who believe in God are called to affirm the identity and integrity of all people, particularly indigenous people who are marginalized and disempowered.'
The presence of Mohawk Indian and Burundi ambassador, Maori educator and Chilean Consul General, Japanese industrialist and Chinese youth gave content to the words of British Columbia's Lt Governor, David I am, opening the conference: 'Go out and heal the wounds, not by building walls, which become jails, but by building bridges, which all can cross over.'
Canada's former Governor General, Edward Schreyer, predicted that Canada would have an important world role in the future. The ending of the cold war had unleashed a tide of change, he said. It was not enough to replace the dogmatic excesses of the past with unbridled capitalism or trendy new concerns. Conferences like this were needed, where people could learn how social diversity could better contribute to society as a whole.
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