2016 LETTER OF INVITATION AND REGISTRATION
“Catholic Indigenous Elders Dialogue”
“DECOLONIZING PASTORAL MINISTRY II”— Indigenous Spirituality, Theology and Right
Relationships of Respect and Integrity”
Sunday, August 28 @ 3:00 PM, 2016 — Thursday, September 1 @ 2:00 PM, 2016
Star of the North Retreat House, 3 St Vital Ave, St Albert, AB T8N 1K1
www.starofthenorth.ca
June 17, 2016
Dear Invited Guest:
The Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops’ Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs (AWCB—
SCIA) invites you to attend the biennial “Catholic Indigenous Elders Dialogue” to be held at Star of the
North Retreat House, 3 St Vital Ave, St Albert, AB T8N 1K1
www.starofthenorth.ca
We hope that your commitment to this biennial event will be ongoing. Through the theme
“DECOLONIZING PASTORAL MINISTRY II”— Indigenous Spirituality, Theology and Right
Relationships of Respect and Integrity” we will be addressing matters that include community, culture,
language, tradition, healing, reconciliation, interculturation and Creator God’s vision.
The focus of this gathering is to foster a dialogue between church leadership and Catholic Indigenous
Elders on the topics of a) acceptance of Indigenous spirituality within the Church and b) expressing
Indigenous Catholic faith in harmony with Indigenous culture and spirituality, within the context of the
Church and liturgical celebrations. We are hoping that representatives from the Assembly of Western
Catholic Bishops’ Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs and other Christian Churches ministering
with Indigenous peoples will be participants in our dialogue.
Some of our Speakers will be Priscilla Solomon, Bob McKeon, Jean-Guy Goulet, Stan Fontaine,
Nicanor Sarmiento, who is a Peruvian Indigenous Catholic priest and theologian, and myself, as well as
two people from Chiapas, Mexico: JPetul Jiménez, a Mayan Indigenous person, and Maria Isabel
Hernandez, a religious and pastoral minister.
We hope that your parish/diocese/band/community or you yourself will sponsor your travel. We see this
“Catholic Indigenous Elders Dialogue” as a three-way partnership.
 Your sponsor’s Commitment:
 Your sponsor (diocese/parish/ band, community, etc.), pays all your travel expenses to and from
the gathering. We are looking into finding additional funds to assist you in your travel. Contact
Eva soon.
 Building Bridges Commitment:
Please Note: Although some organizations do pay honoraria for Elders to attend conferences we will
NOT be paying honoraria to participants, since we do not have the funds to do this.
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 We will pay all your accommodations and meals at Star of the North Retreat House during the
meeting.
 The cost of the excursion to, and the meal at First Peoples Parish.
 We are looking into asking the Knights of Columbus to pick you up and drop you off at the
airport so if you are flying we absolutely need your arrival and departure time.
 We will provide the leadership and facilitation of the gathering, entertainment expenses, and
other conference costs such as supplies, rentals, etc.
 Your Commitment:

 You find your sponsor, make your travel arrangements and as soon as possible. Contact us if
necessary.
 You pay the (non-refundable) registration cost of $100.00 (live-in) or $50.00 (commuters).
Make cheque payable to: Catholic Indigenous Elders Dialogue and send it to Building Bridges
Project at the address below.
 You participate fully in the “Catholic Indigenous Elders Dialogue”, Sunday, August 28 @
3:00 PM, 2016 — Thursday, September 1 @ 2:00 PM, 2016
 You attend future meetings and sessions if you can.
 You confirm and pay your non-refundable portion for your participation before August15, 2016.
We ask that you arrive on Sunday, August 28 @ 3:00 PM, 2016 and leave Thursday, September 1 @
2:00 PM, 2016. Both Air Canada and West Jet fly into Edmonton and often have special deals during
this economic down time. If you are driving you can find driving directions on mapquest.ca.
We look forward to having you participate. Call or e-mail Sister Eva Solomon if you have any further
questions or concerns. Please send the cheque and a return hard copy of your registration with your
payment before August 15th.
Sincerely,
S. Eva Solomon, CSJ, for the “Catholic Indigenous Elders Dialogue” planning committee.
Contact: Eva Solomon, CSJ,
Mailing Address: 194 Despins St. Winnipeg, MB, R2H 0L9
Phone: 1-204-221-3539 (work & home) (CDT)
E-mail: [email protected]
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“Catholic Indigenous Elders Dialogue”
2016 Registration
“DECOLONIZING PASTORAL MINISTRY II”
Indigenous Spirituality, Theology
and Right Relationships of Respect and Integrity
Location: Star of the North Retreat House, 3 St Vital Ave, St Albert, AB T8N 1K1 www.starofthenorth.ca
Dates: Sunday, August 28 @ 3:00 PM, 2016 — Thursday, September 1 @ 2:00 PM, 2016
REGISTER DIRECTLY BELOW: S. Eva Solomon: [email protected] Phone: 1-204-221-3539
Notice: You must pay Star of the North directly for any extra time that you stay before and beyond the times specified.
Name: ____________________________________________ First Nation ____________________
[For clan group organization]
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________
City: ___________________________ Province: __________ Postal Code: ___________________
Telephone: {w} ______________ {home} __________________ {cell} ________________________
Email: _______________________________________________
Special Dietary/Physical Needs: {Allergies / Diabetic Diet, etc.}________________________________
COST: Can. currency, $100.00 (live-in) or $50.00 (commuters) paid before August 15, 2016
35 Live-in spaces. Non-refundable Registration Fee $100.00 {3 meals + accomm. daily}
10 Commuter spaces includes non-refundable Registration Fee $50.00. {2 meals L&S daily.}
Please make check payable to:
Catholic Indigenous Elders Dialogue
Building Bridges Project
194 Despins, St., Winnipeg, MB Canada R2H 0L9
Please make your own travel arrangements and return this page to S. Eva Solomon [[email protected]] as well as
mailing a hard copy with your cheque. Remember we are looking to have K of C to pick you up and drop you off.
Contact: S Eva Solomon, CSJ Phone: 204-221-3539 [h & w], Email:[email protected]
Registration DEADLINE — August 15, 2016
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