The Dream Takes Shape: Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh comes into being

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 “Not a new initiative but a step in a journey already begun”

June 1, 2014 will mark a major milestone in the  journey of establishing of a self-determining, self-sustaining Indigenous church within the Anglican Church of Canada.

That day the Metropolitan of Rupert’s Land, the Most Reverend David Ashdown  acting on the resolution of the  Provincial Synod of  the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert’s Land and with the concurrence of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, will officially  proclaim the newest diocese in the Anglican Church.

This new diocese which will be known as the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh will encompass over twenty-five First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario and Northern Manitoba.  Its structures and program will be  uniquely aboriginal in that it will be an expression of Indigenous self-determination within the Anglican  Church,  committed to upholding the tradition, order, and discipline  of the  Church,  expressing that commitment in a manner that is consistent   with the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Indigenous  people of the region.

The Proclamation will set off a week of special events centred in Kingfisher Lake First Nation  which will include the first meeting of the Sacred Gathering, the governing body of the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh on June 3,  with special presentations and nightly gospel jamborees spread out over five days.

The  Rt. Rev. Lydia Mamakwa will be formally  installed as the first Bishop of Mishamikoweesh on  June 4, the 93rd  anniversary of the  birth of the Venerable Dr. William Winter who died March 31, 2011, having  devoted his life to pursuing  the dream, carried by the elders for over six decades,  of a self-determining, self-sustaining  Indigenous church within the  Anglican Church of Canada.   Under his leadership  the people chose  to move carefully and prayerfully along the journey to  make that dream a reality.  William and the other elders repeatedly cautioned patience, knowing that everything must be done according to God’s time.   To mark this occasion and to honour the dream, the Anglican Foundation of Canada and the Council of the North are sponsoring a gathering of elders from across the new diocese in Kingfisher Lake during the week of celebration.

For more information on the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh  and the events  planned to celebrate its birth, please contact the Mission House, Kingfisher Lake, ON   807-532-2085 or Bishop Lydia Mamkawa at [email protected]

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