Feeling Hopeful

Christine Ens, Executive Director of Mediation Services Winnipeg

In the midst of what seems to be a collective awakening to Indigenous issues in Canada, many organizations have struggled to find their footing on the path to reconciliation. Finding what their role is, how they can make change & what their next steps should be are all part of that struggle.

Some in leadership positions have taken steps to offer their staff opportunities for cultural awareness training, history lessons & orange t-shirts. They have made social media posts and statements about reconciliation. These are certainly steps in the right direction, but what is it that creates actual change? What moves organizations from acknowledgment to action? What creates the much needed healing between communities?

"I think lots of people are looking for ways to 'do reconciliation'. What does reconciliation mean to me, personally? If you're not starting here, then you've skipped a step, which I didn't know until our team had the Seeds training and asked ourselves that question." - Christine Ens, MSW Executive Director

As Executive Director of Mediation Services Winnipeg, Christine Ens feels that her role is to make sure that her team is doing their own work in both understanding privilege and oppression. Christine, along with the staff and volunteers at MSW recently took action and participated in our Seeds of Reconciliation workshop.

“This workshop is for everyone! Every person can learn a new model of reconciliation and can learn more about how they carry around their story.” - MSW Workshop Participant

The MSW team came to this workshop with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in mediation and conflict resolution, yet they were open to learning & discovering what reconciliation truly means. The group explored their own personal concepts of reconciliation and what gets in the way of peace and healing with each other. By developing a common language around reconciliation and how to begin creating it on a personal level, the group came away with a meaningful experience of our process.

“If you are interested and believe in growth, justice, peace and transformation, you will absolutely gain something!” - Danny, MSW staff member

Mediation Services Winnipeg has already participated in a second Seeds of Reconciliation workshop and plans are in place to take part in our Roots of Reconciliation workshop as well. MSW is a great example of moving beyond acknowledgment to truly integrating reconciliation into their organizational values.

"I felt like we had done the right thing, it was a great use of time, and it was so beneficial to have that experience together. I felt hopeful." - Christine Ens, MSW Executive Director

Thank you to Christine Ens and all of the staff and volunteers that took part in our workshop.

If your organization is looking to take meaningful action towards reconciliation, please reach out to us at info@returningtospirit.org 

To learn about all of the remarkable work being done by Mediation Services Winnipeg please visit their website.