By Myron Rogal
SASKATOON, SASK. — A Roots of Reconciliation workshop was held June 6 to 9 in Saskatoon, co-hosted by Returning to Spirit and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
Funded in part by a local grant through the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF), the program was last hosted by the diocese 15 years ago. After such a long absence in the diocese, garnering interest in the Returning to Spirit program required substantial communication.
The 2025 Saskatoon workshop was unique as it brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous together within a single stream. The workshop was led by Returning to Spirit presenters Sr. Monica Katchang and Robyn Hall.
The Returning to Spirit mission to “bring Canadians together in a spirit of mutual respect, trust, and equality to create possibility, responsibility and reconciliation” is also a priority for our diocese.
As an alumnus of the Roots of Reconciliation workshop myself, I knew the enormous possibility for transformation that such a workshop could offer. Simply put it moves individuals from a place of solving, blame or blind ideology to becoming sincere agents of healing.
After the first day, I was not surprised to hear comments of “I’ve never been so tired in all my life” which broke open to an exuberant joy as the workshop went on. It was like seeing the Paschal Mystery unfold in real time!
Participant Marie-Jeanne reflected: “This workshop has taught me how to move from resignation to ambition and how a person can move from a negative place to a life-giving place. Thank you Returning to Spirit for giving me the tools I need to build step-by-step reconciliation.”
In a letter of support, Bishop Mark highlighted that these workshops have a good track record for identifying personal barriers to reconciliation to develop meaningful conversations that lead to addressing necessary growth and change.
Bishop Hagemoen greeted participants with gratitude, focusing on how the aspect of mercy is the primary attribute of God, and how that mercy drives us to listen, as well as take responsibility.
Returning to Spirit defines reconciliation as “the ability to be at peace with ourselves, others, and the world, no matter what the circumstance. This includes the impact of Indian Residential Schools and other painful experiences.”
These unique workshops guide participants to achieve reconciliation through conversation, group process, and personal process.
Learning themes for personal growth include responsibility, way of being (learning the simplicity of shifting from a place of resentment to one of acceptance, from resignation to ambition, victimhood to responsibility, cynicism to inspiration), and communication.
Participant Chandra shared that the workshop brought her to “take responsibility for my life without being stuck in my story.”
Workshop participant Sister Mirasol shared in a reflection: “Reconciliation is very important to make our world a better place to live in, yet reconciliation with others can only happen when we are first reconciled with ourselves and this is the right workshop to make that happen!”
So what is next?
A “Come and See” Returning to Spirit event will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon, with an evening of presentations, testimonies, and Q&As to assist inquiring participants in learning more about the programs RTS offers.
A Returning to Spirit “Advancing Reconciliation” workshop is tentatively planned for Nov. 7-10 in the diocese of Saskatoon, with more details to be determined.
“To anyone considering this workshop, I would say, go for it! It makes you move into a different and more positive way of being, to enter into a life of possibilities. It will create a watershed in your life experience.” – Pauline, participant in Roots of Reconcliation
Returning to Spirit background
Returning to Spirit Residential School Reconciliation Inc. (RTS) is a charitable organization established in 2001.
RTS workshops first began in 2001 through an intensive scrutiny of the divisions and perceived “difference” that was the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools.
An Indigenous man together with a Catholic nun created the training model for the RTS program with the participation of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners. The initial idea was to reconcile Indigenous Peoples with the Church, but over the years, the work of RTS has covered a larger scope and extended the healing process to Canadians from all walks of life.
Many communities, groups and organizations have hosted RTS because the focus of RTS workshops and seminars are on moving people through the principles of personal empowerment and responsibility. Responsibility defines all the work: coaching sessions, community and program development. The work goes beyond healing. It provides conditions for transformation in personal, family, community, and organizational life. RTS workshops have helped thousands of people—both Indigenous and non-Indigenous—to move beyond divisions to a place of peace, as well as personal and professional transformation.
Myron Rogal works at the Office of Justice and Peace, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
