UNDERCURRENTS

"We must own the whole story." How a former residential school worker wrestles with his past and how his story challenges all of us beyond our good intentions. Powerful listening for all settlers on this land we call Canada. Transcription can be found here. Show notes: National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419. Kid’s Help Phone line 24/7: 1-800-668-6868 https://kidshelpphone.ca/ Merle Nisly’s reaction to the uncovering of 215 Indigenous children in Kamloops. https://mnisly.com/the-impact-of-215/ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation resource: https://mcc.org/resources/national-day-truth-and-reconciliation TRC 94 Calls to Action: http://trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf Justice Sinclair: “TRC One Year Later” https://youtu.be/_MhqF4yeSXo?t=241 “Change may not look like what you thought it would” CBC - news: “Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKKLgwlosaw Some history of Northern Light Gospel Missions and Poplar Hill https://ontariomennonitehistory.org/2015/06/08/ontario-mennonites-and-the-poplar-hill-development-school/ Canadian Mennonite series: https://canadianmennonite.org/articles/how-complicit-are-mennonites-residential-school-abuse “A first step towards healing” - Personal reflection on the first TRC event (June 2010) https://canadianmennonite.org/articles/first-step-towards-healing “MC Canada shares the pain of Indian Residential School legacy” - A report on discussions at MC Canada Assembly 2010 https://canadianmennonite.org/articles/mc-canada-shares-pain-indian-residential-school-legacy Credits: Edited by Christen Kong Mixed by Francois Goudrealt of Hello Francy Sound and Music Production Research by Seun Olowo-Ake Original music by Brian MacMillan Artwork by Jesse Bergen

This episode is from Season 1 and originally aired in spring of 2020. We learn about the oldest Residential School in Canada and hear a powerful story from a survivor. We hear from settlers who are wrestling with the legacy of colonialism and residential schools. And we hear from Indigenous partners who are courageously reclaiming their culture. Transcription can be found here Links: Woodland Cultural Centre’s Save The Evidence campaign. VIDEO: Sandy Yuen and Nick Hamm share about their experience learning from indigenous leaders and working at the Mohawk Institute Residential School. VIDEO: Karen Hill shares part of her story as a survivor of Mohawk Institute Residential School along with visuals of the Mohawk building looks like, inside and out. Learn more about MCC’s Indigenous Neighbours program Deeper reading (which we will be getting into more in Season 2!) Truth and Reconciliation Commission report. Statement from Mennonite Church Leaders in response to TRC. Credits: Theme song and other original music from Brian MacMillan. Artwork by Jesse Bergen. Licensed music from deWolfe Music. Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union.

Since 1979, hundreds of thousands of refugees have been sponsored, resettled, and built new lives in communities across Canada. Countless tears of happiness have been shed, countless Canadian flags have been waved, and countless cross-cultural meals have been shared. But, as we'll hear from one sponsorship group, there’s a whole lot more to it than that. If you are interested or have any questions about refugee sponsorship, email [email protected]. Transcription here. Read "Consider it (re)settled", a rich behind-the-scenes look at how MCC pioneered the world's first private refugee sponsorship program. Discussion resource can be found at mcco.ca/undercurrents. Credits: Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union Editorial assistance by Christen Kong Mixed by Francois Goudrealt of Hello Francy Sound and Music Original music by Brian MacMillan Artwork by Jesse Bergen

We're back at the auctions. But instead of being surrounded by children with pie in their hair, like at the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale featured in Episode 16, I’m with farmers with manure on their boots. This is bonus mini-episode that book-ends Season 3 which started with an exploration of the Relief Sale. We explore the mysterious Heifer Sale, get a crash course in dairy farming and how a group of farmers created something truly unique 41 years ago. Transcription is here. More stories of creative ways to support the work of MCC: Small scale with big impact - Norm & Sharon Ewert renovate intricate wooden dollhouses as MCC fundraiser From troublemaker to tractor whisperer - Jerry Toews in Kansas restores all kinds of mechanical vehicles to be auctioned at relief sales. Quilting for peace - Hedy Kopeschny and others at Niagara United Mennonite Church hosted a quilting event to support relief efforts in Ukraine. Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union Edited by Christen Kong Mixed by Francois Goudrealt of Hello Francy Sound and Music Original music by Brian MacMillanArtwork by Jesse Bergen

In this very special episode, we sit down with best-selling author, public speaker, podcast wizard, and honorary Mennonite, Malcolm Gladwell. We cover a lot of ground - from pacifism, to soccer, to climate change, and more.  Listen to Malcolm Gladwell's podcast Revisionist History here. Watch the Tottenham Hotspur 48-pass goal here. Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union Produced with help from Christen Kong. Mixed by Francois Goudrealt of Hello Francy Sound and Music Original music by Brian MacMillan Artwork by Jesse Bergen

"Somebody has to do something. It's crazy that we've got people that want to work and there is no job." We talk with Suzi and Lucas, two soup chefs who have found meaningful work, #livingwage and a welcoming community at The Raw Carrot. We also hear from The Raw Carrot co-found Rebecca Sherbino. Find out how one bowl of soup can change the world. The Raw Carrot https://therawcarrot.com/ How to Buy Soup https://therawcarrot.com/where-to-buy/ Raw Carrot Volunteer https://therawcarrot.com/get-involved/volunteer-with-raw-carrot/ Open Letter: Premiere Ford, Double Social Assistance Rates Now! https://incomesecurity.org/open-letter-premier-ford-double-social-assistance-rates-now/ Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union Edited by Christen Kong Mixed by Francois Goudrealt of Hello Francy Sound and Music Original music by Brian MacMillan Artwork by Jesse Bergen

In Season 2, Ep 8 ("Home") of Undercurrents, we were privileged to hear the poetry of Palestinian poet and teacher Izzeddin Hawamda. We had so much positive feedback from Izzy's poems that I invited Izzy back to share a new poem he wrote while visiting his home in the West Bank earlier this year, as well as new insights into life for Palestinians under occupation. For more stories from Palestine and Israel and ways in which you can work for peace and justice there, go to A Cry For Home, a robust resource from MCC. Check out and consider signing a petition to Israeli detention of Palestinian children in military prisons. #NoWayToTreatAChild Sign the pledge to come Together Against Apartheid, created by Jewish, Palestinian, and fellow advocates for justice in Palestine and Israel. Thanks to Kindred Credit Union for helping to make this episode possible.

This is a special episode - a conversation between the Undercurrents team Ken Ogasawara and Christen Kong about their shared experience of doing the SALT program nearly 20 years apart. Some hard times, some funny times, and always a good time. To learn more about the SALT program, go here: mcco.ca/SALT To hear directly from more SALTers living in their placements, go here: SALT videos Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union Produced and edited by Christen Kong Mixed by Francois Goudrealt of Hello Francy Sound and Music Original music by Brian MacMillan Artwork by Jesse Bergen

"I had to take my own leadership and not everybody was happy about that, let me tell you." In the newest episode of Undercurrents, Colleen Hookimaw shows us the lay of the (physical and metaphorical) land. We talk smoked geese, 5000 pounds of potatoes and maggots. We also explore historical challenges to Indigenous food sovereignty in Canada. Transcription can be found here. Read Bill Louttit's story here: https://mcccanada.ca/stories/why-living-land-crucial-nearly-impossible-do Discussion resource can be found at mcco.ca/undercurrents. Credits: Sponsored by Kindred Credit Union Editorial assistance by Christen Kong Mixed by Francois Goudrealt of Hello Francy Sound and Music Original music by Brian MacMillan Artwork by Jesse Bergen

A mystery caller provides some more behind-the-scenes insight into the thrilling quilt auction profiled in Episode 16 -  Bidder Sweet: A Quilt to Remember. See you at the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale on Friday May 27th and Saturday June 28th! nhmrs.com