"We are now shedding light on the painful chapter of Aboriginal residential schools, a chapter that spanned over a century," said Governor General Michaëlle Jean at a ceremony at Rideau Hall Oct. 15 where she was installed as honorary witness to the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). With a budget of $60 million the commission will hear stories from victims of abuse in the residential school system over the next five years.

Governor General Michaëlle Jean dabs tears from her eyes at a ceremony at Rideau Hall Oct. 15 after watching a video of survivors of Indian Residential Schools speaking about abuses in the church-operated schools. Seated next to her is Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that will hear stories from victims of abuse in the residential school system over the next five years.

Archbishop Gerard Pettipas of the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan, chair of the corporation of Catholic entities that signed the Residential School Settlement Agreement in 2006, was among the church leaders who read a prayer at the beginning of the ceremony at Rideau Hall Oct. 15 focussing  on the history and legacy of the Indian Residential Schools.

Mr. Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission, speaks at a ceremony at Rideau Hall Oct. 15 focussing on the history and legacy of the Indian Residential Schools. The TRC, with a budget of $60 million, is to hold seven national events over five years to hear stories from abuse survivors and others involved in the residential schools.

Former governor general Adrienne Clarkson, an Anglican, has been named as the patron of an initiative of The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) of the Anglican Church of Canada to sponsor 50 refugee families during its 50th anniversary celebrations. Clarkson, herself a refugee, came to Canada in 1942 at the age of three. "As a Canadian, I can’t think of more useful work joining our religious commitment to our duties as citizens than being a part of a settlement program for specific refugee families," she said. She will also be the keynote speaker for a PWRDF 50th anniversary celebration in Toronto in late October.

                        Déjà 'View'

Ottawa artist Karen Bailey appears to be interacting with a blast victim in a painting from her working visit to the Role 3 Hospital in Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, two years ago as a military artist. Karen was particularly moved by the commitment and dedication of the medical staff, resulting in "Triage," a 21-piece tribute to Canadian military medical personnel shown at a solo exhibition in Ottawa in October. Last year, Bailey honored women who do the often thankless task of preparing food in Anglican church kitchens.

"Mickey," the pony gets a blessing from the Revs. Gregor Sneddon and Karen Coxon at St. Mary's Anglican Church in Dunrobin, Ont, Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis.