Indigenous Ministries Highlights

While Salvation Army leadership gathered at Parliament Hill in May 2023, Indigenous voices were amplified at an Indigenous listening event. In partnership with Salvation Army Government Relations, the Territorial Indigenous Ministries Consultant and Associate Territorial Indigenous Ministries Consultant interviewed four Indigenous people connected to The Salvation Army. Through questions and conversations, they shared their visions and dreams of reconciliation and how The Salvation Army can continue to collaborate with Indigenous communities.

In July 2023, and making a long journey from Gitwinksihlkw, B.C. to Toronto Ont., members of the Four Crest Dancers shared in traditional Nisga’a songs and stories at Inspire Conference and Congress. Leading the official processional into Massey Hall, the Four Crest Dancers opened the congress services. They also performed at a Salvation Army youth and young adult event and at Yonge and Dundas Square for the Canada Day Celebrations.

The Salvation Army continues to recognize the importance of our relationship with Indigenous Pathways, an organization whose purpose is to provide practical support to Indigenous people. Since 2016, Indigenous Pathways has been an essential partner in the creation and development of the Army’s Celebration of Culture gathering and pow wow at Pine Lake Camp in Alberta.

In 2023, as part of The Salvation Army’s commitment to reconciliation, Major Shari Russell received a full-time secondment as the Director of NAIITS, an Indigenous Learning Community.