Gathering Nations International

Journey of Freedom and National Forgiven Summit June, 11-13, 2010.

We at the mission base in Vermont fully support and stand with Gathering Nations International in this historic Kingdom advance. It is our desire to stand on the wall in our covenant love, intercession and financial support to see the purposes of God released on this continent and beyond.

Link to Forgiven site: http://www.advancedministry.com/sites/index.cfm?i=11874

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Background

On June 11, 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper extended an apology on behalf of Canada and asked forgiveness of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for historic wrongs, specifically, for the abuses many aboriginal people experienced in residential schools in Canada. In recent years, the Government of Canada, the churches in Canada, First Nations, Inuit, Métis peoples, and the people of Canada have made significant inroads and progress towards achieving a meaningful reconciliation throughout Canada. In particular, the vision of Elijah Harper in Sacred Assemblies, the Government of Canada's Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, and the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, the Apology of our Prime Minister, and now, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will no doubt achieve further progress in restoring honour, healing in First Peoples, and for our nation.

Responding to the Apology: National Forgiven Summit

To date, a national and corporate response to Prime Minister Harper's apology and request for forgiveness has not been coordinated. However, the First Peoples of Canada, consisting of Christian First Nations, Inuit and Métis believers, under the coordination and leadership of Gathering Nations International, and in unity with the greater Christian community in Canada, wish to take their place in a national, public response to the June 2008 apology and request for forgiveness by our Prime Minister.

From June 11-13, 2010, representatives and leaders from Canada's First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, the churches of the ten provinces and three territories, international observers and media would gather at the Ottawa Civic Centre to formally and publicly extend forgiveness to the government of Canada at a national Sacred Summit. This three-day event will involve approximately 3,500-5,000 people and broadly follow three themes: gathering and witnessing unity of purpose; forgiveness protocols, and the celebration of freedom that forgiveness imparts.

This initiative differs from earlier attempts to forge reconciliation in that, while not neglecting the advances of previous investments in healing and reconciliation, this event focuses on empowering the "grass roots" by teaching the Christian principles of forgiveness within the indigenous culture one family at a time, from coast to coast to coast.

Journey of Freedom & Charter of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not a typical item on a political or legislative agenda - it is spiritual. Just as wrongdoing can and does affect the future of individuals, families, communities, and even nations, so can right-doing. Expressing sincere forgiveness founded on the unconditional love of our Father and Creator is the key to unlock greater doors to healing, and a strong and prosperous future that is right for all people of Canada; it will be another momentous timely progressive step and the means to break the yoke of a negative past. Forgiveness will bring freedom from spiritual poverty to our people and nation. Forgiveness will bring renewed hope and life to our common desire for an improved vision of a shared future in our nation.

In preparation for this spiritual response, Gathering Nations International will send aboriginal delegates to aboriginal communities throughout Canada to make ready the hearts of the people to release forgiveness. This Journey of Freedom will enhance and prompt the Prime Minister's efforts to restore honour, unify Canada and impart a vision of restoration.

At the culmination of the Journey of Freedom, in spring 2010, aboriginal leaders will gather and, building on the principles of The Covenant of the First Peoples of Canada, will form a Charter of Freedom that would be formally presented and received by the government of Canada.

Conclusion

Canada is known as a peacemaker and a nation of integrity. In this same spirit we stand with the Prime Minister of Canada to strengthen the moral integrity and spiritual foundations of our nation. The release of forgiveness will realize the destiny of Canada in bringing healing to the nations.

Letter from Kenny Blacksmith

Dear Friends & Family,

In a decade in review, the headline read:

'we live in an age of anxiety - a long history of moral panic… a decade driven with

uncertainty and the fear of asteroids, BSE, SARS, avian lu, swine lu, bio-engineered viruses, nanotechnology, nuclear war, global warming, and countless other doomsday scenarios.'

(Ottawa Citizen, Saturday, December 26, 2009)

The quest for hope, peace and a future is cast wide. It is in such times that we need a fresh life-giving vision. I believe the family of God holds a powerful key to bring significant change to our society, perhaps more so today than ever before. The Lord Jesus taught his disciples a prayer that set in vital foundation principles for living relationships. We were taught to adore and worship the one true God; to recognize and abide in Kingdom authority, to trust in His sovereign love, will and purpose, to forgive , and to live in the deliverance and protection that comes through faith in God and obedience to His will. We must come to a place of forgiveness and allow God to heal those places where we have been wounded in our life's journey. Releasing forgiveness is not easy but we were created to live in the power of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the key to unlock greater doors to healing, honour, peace and freedom in our personal lives, families, communities, and governments from a negative history of spiritual poverty, apathy and moral decline in our nation. Forgiveness must be a way of life now and for our future generations.

Forgiveness is a choice, a choice we must make together and as we release forgiveness we will witness greater progress in the restoration, advancement and promotion of the moral integrity, spiritual, social, economic and political development of our nation. Forgiveness is not a typical item on political or legislative agendas - it is spiritual, and I believe Prime Minister Stephen Harper understood the signiicance of forgiveness and chose to impart a genuine apology to our people as a means to acheiving a strong and lourishing future for all the peoples of Canada. In the spirit and intent of The Covenant of the First Peoples of Canada , our vision is to witness the increase of the spiritual and moral integrity and authority in our nation in order to achieve a strong, uniied, progressive and prosperous nation and family under God.

We invite you to stand with us, as we prepare to respond to the Prime Minister's apology of June 11, 2008 and to his specific request for forgiveness to the students of residential schools. God has impressed on us that an action of forgiveness to the Canadian Government will unleash greater healing and love not only to First Peoples, but to all Canadians. Time is crucial, for we have a window of opportunity to reconcile hearts and peoples, and the future of our country depends on it. The First Peoples of Canada (consisting of Christian First Nations, Inuit and Métis believers) under the leadership of Gathering Nations International, and in unity with the entire Christian community of Canada, are formulating a national public response to the June 11, 2008 apology of the Prime Minister of Canada. Many of our friends have asked how they could walk with us and we have responded by asking them to join us as we prepare for an event that will redeem history and launch us to write a new page, and this will be our legacy. To date, a response to Prime Minister Harper's apology and request for forgiveness has not been coordinated. Therefore, from June 11-13, 2010, representatives and leaders from Canada's First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, the churches of the ten provinces and three territories, international observers and the media will gather at the Ottawa Civic Centre to formally and publicly extend forgiveness to the Government of Canada at a national 'FORGIVEN' summit.

This three-day gathering will involve approximately 3,500-5,000 people and will broadly follow three themes: gathering to witness unity of purpose; forgiveness protocols, and the celebration of the freedom that forgiveness brings. Forgiveness is not a typical item on political or legislative agendas - it is spiritual. Offense affects the future of individuals, families, communities, and nations leading to poverty, alienation and division. Extending genuine forgiveness promotes healing, which leads to a strong and lourishing future for all the peoples of Canada.

This gathering will be another momentous step toward healing and reconciliation.

In preparation for this spiritual response, Gathering Nations International will coordinate a Journey to Freedom: delegates will travel to aboriginal communities and churches throughout Canada to prepare the hearts of First Peoples to release forgiveness. This Journey of Freedom will support the Prime Minister's courageous efforts to restore honour and unify Canada. Freedom is the awe-inspiring result of releasing forgiveness - freedom for both the forgiver and the forgiven. Building on the principles of The Covenant of the First Peoples of Canada , aboriginal leaders will then structure a Charter of Forgiveness that will be oficially presented to the Government of Canada.

Walk with us!

The response thus far for this endeavour is extraordinary! Yet the task to coordinate this initiative is vast. There are some very practical ways you can join us.

First, take time to pray.

We do not ask this lightly. God has reminded us that

intercession is necessary at every step.

After that, we ask you to:

Send us an endorsement in the form of a letter of support.

We will post these letters on our website and mention them in funding proposals which we will submit shortly. Please include a high-quality photo and/or ministry logo (sent electronically) for us to use on the event website.

Contribute financially.

An event of this scope will require the inancial resources of many supporters. Consider

not only the June 11-13 event, but the Journey of Freedom, as aboriginal delegates travel across Canada, even to

the far North. Non-native churches are encouraged to sponsor First Nations, Inuit and Métis church or

community members to attend the three day gathering in Ottawa.

Promote the event.

Inform your networks about what God is about to accomplish through this gathering;

encourage them to pray, to give, and to get involved. Organize and host local and regional mini summits of

forgiveness. There are a lot of opportunities for people to serve as intercessors, and volunteers, especially in the

area of hospitality. The details are on our website (www.i4give.ca).

Make plans for your church, ministry and youth group participation to the national 'FORGIVEN'

summit.

Write

to your Member of Parliament, Premier, Chief & Council, encourage and invite him/her to be part of

this national initiative. We are thrilled to see what God will accomplish not only in the next six months, but also at the result of the release of forgiveness. Let God give you a vision of it and you will be excited, too.

Conclusion

Canada is known as a peacemaker and a nation of integrity. In this same spirit, we stand with all First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and nations, provincial, territorial governments of Canada, the Government of Canada, and with the Prime Minister of Canada in a common vision to strengthen the moral integrity and spiritual foundations of our nation. The release of forgiveness will not only be a major landmark in the journey of Canada towards our destiny to bring healing to the nations, but it will be a new beginning in covenant relationships and partnerships for kingdom authority purpose for our nation; and Canada will be a blessed nation even more!

This is the appointed time to open the gates of what is right and good for Canada!

For His Kingdom,

Kenny Blacksmith

Gathering Nations International

788 Covehead Crescent, Gloucester, ON, Canada K1V 1M3

Phone: 1.613.724.8180 • Fax: 1.613.822.8896 • www.gatheringnations.ca • www.i4give.ca • email: kenny@i4give.ca