How do we share the responsibility of the disruptive work of reconciliation? Join in conversation and learning with Rikki Kooy, Racelle Kooy, and Kerry Baisley as we start on our year-long learning journey as we continue to walk the path of truth and reconciliation. The evening will include presentations, cultural sharing, and learning stations exploring practical ways for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in this ongoing work. Light refreshments will be served. There is no cost, but registration is required for planning purposes.
Learn more about this year-long series, Being a Good Ancestor.
About Rikki Kooy
Rikki Kooy, Spirit Elk Woman, is an elder/artist/designer from the Secwepemc and St’atl’imc Nations. She is a survivor of multiple generations of residential school survivors.. Her shared hope is to support community towards healing through wisdom sharing, storytelling, and hands-on engagement in reconciliation through art. Rikki is the lead designer of the “Feather Dance” reconciliation project, which she describes as the work of hands extended in friendship, reaching out to each other, and walking the journey of faith together. The project is an ongoing work of truth and reconciliation that has reached into and beyond our Diocese. Rikki serves as a mentoring Elder to multiple church communities, including St. Hildegard’s Sanctuary here in the Diocese of New Westminster. A renowned textile artist, she has designed assorted pieces that reside within the Diocese.
About Racelle Kooy
Racelle dedicates her professional talents to amplifying the voices and respectful representation of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit People to regional, national and global platforms. She works to build and hold safer places for needed and difficult dialogue to facilitate respectful engagement. Since 1999, she has been collaborating with the Assembly of First Nations, including her role as the bilingual co-chair at the AFN Assemblies, and has served past and current National Chiefs.
About Kerry Baisley
Kerry has been serving as the Missioner for Indigenous Justice for the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster since 2020. Previously Kerry worked in positions ranging from Emergency Child Welfare, a Regional Social Worker in the Yukon, and Medical Social Work in Residential Care. He retired as a Director of Client Relations and Risk Management in Richmond Hospital with Vancouver Coastal Health. He is a past Board Member of the 127 Society for Housing and a member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia.
The series, Being a Good Ancestor, is subsidized by the Diocese of New Westminster, St. Philip’s Anglican Church, St. Faith’s Anglican Church, and St. Hildegard’s Sanctuary. We strive to make each program accessible and affordable for all who wish to participate–any program fees go directly to material costs and honorariums for the artists and elders.