Walking Tour Info

First United Church has a unique perspective as it is located within the original summer fishing grounds of the people who lived in this part of Ontario for at least 6000 years before the arrival o f Europeans. The plaques on the boundaries of the area describe the Nawash Village and the Wesleyan Methodist Mission that were situated here and in the surrounding neighbourhoods of what we now know as “Brooke” or “Brooke-holme” or the northwest section of Owen Sound. 

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has challenged and compelled Canadians to have conversations that matter concerning our colonial history and Treaties and to be open to learning from Indigenous experience. 
  • We acknowledge with respect the history, spirituality and culture of the Anishinabe peoples on whose traditional territories we gather and whose ancestors signed Treaty 45 ½, Treaty 72 and Treaty 82 with our ancestors. We acknowledge also the Great Lakes Métis people whose ancestors shared the local lands and waterways. May we as Treaty People live with respect on this land, and live in peace and friendship with all of its diverse peoples. 
  • 94 of the TRC Calls to Action in our weekly worship bulletin and eNews. 
  • We have collected resources about local Indigenous history for all ages that are available to the community on a loan-basis. 
  • We have displayed Indigenous art as a way of telling the Indigenous story and acknowledging their significant  artistic tradition, while making our church building more welcoming to those who have Indigenous roots. 
  • Virginia (Ginger) Smith’s vision and passion led us to develop a funding proposal which was successful and enabled us to implement a “Walking Tour Toward Truth and Reconciliation” in the neighbourhood around First United Church as part of the City of Owen Sound’s celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary and the City’s 160th anniversary. First United contributed $500 from the Memorial Fund and we successfully obtained $4,000 from the Community Fund for Canada's 150th and $1,000 from the Toronto Conference Right Relations Fund. We also obtained a further grant of $13,000 from the United Church of Canada's Justice and Reconciliation Fund for this same project. There are five locations with a sculptural marker and audio stories introducing the significance of the land and culture as well as residential school stories. Guiding partners include Susan Schank of the Great Lakes Métis Council and Trish Meekins, Nikaanaganaa Counselling and Learning Centre. 
  • We are learning about the importance of language and how to avoid telling a story that is not really ours to tell. We trust that we will be led by the Spirit in our continued efforts to “live into right relations” with all peoples of this land.