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We invite Spiritual people of all nations and religions to strengthen our prayers on October 23, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. Citadel Hill, Halifax

On this day, we will join people across Canada in Prayer to help to guide the way to sharing natural resources between First Nations and non-native people.

The air, the water and the land must be respected by all people, because they were given to the people so that we can live. Our people, Aboriginal and non native, French and English, Christian and Traditionalist, government and citizen, have been fighting about natural resources for too long.

Our special prayers at this time are for understanding, cooperation and peace among the fishers of the Maritimes who have been at war with one another. We know that many people feel that they are being treated unfairly. Communities, friendships and families have been afraid, hurt and torn apart.

In Prayer, we will honour and celebrate the rights of the First Nations and non-native fishers to protect and defend their and their children's future well-being. Without judgment or condemnation, we will pray that they can set aside their anger and come together on good terms. We pray that our communities and families will live in peace and harmony.

We ask all those who pray to the Creator-God to join us in their communities on October 7th at 7:00 p.m. (Atlantic time), and add strength to our prayers.

"All prayers are heard by the same God."

Sponsored by the Inter Faith Council of Halifax and the United Church of Canada.

Background: Inter Faith Prayer Gatherings , 7:00 p.m. October 23, 2000

Human rights activist Willi Nolan and United Church minister Wade Reppert have been working to assist in constructive dialogue between Aboriginal and non-native fishers in the area surrounding Burnt Church. Together, they agreed to put a proposal before their various spiritual leaders to engage in public prayer to ask the Creator-God to help First Nations and Canadian people to find the best ways to harvest natural resources.

The Inter-Faith Council of Halifax has graciously extended an invitation to assist with Prayer Gatherings in their local communities. Noel Knockwood, Native Spiritual leader and Keptin of the Mi'kmaq Grand Council, will attend in prayer at Citadel Hill in Halifax on the 23rd, along with other members of the Inter-Faith Council.

Utilizing public spaces for Prayer Gatherings was thought to be a practical way to highlight celebrations that bring together Spiritual people of all faiths in support of the quest for peace and cooperation with First Nations and Canadian fishers.

First Nations and Non-native fishers are to be celebrated and blessed; both hold the need to protect and honour the elements close to their hearts. In dialogue considering their common interests, First Nations and Canadian fishers can decide the best ways to fish the waters. Building upon common interests, three areas of common interest were identified as themes of the prayers, Conservation and Protection of the Earth, Fishers Participation in Community Management of Resources and Current Mediation Efforts. Disagreeing parties should be named in prayer without judgment or condemnation, seeking only the guidance of the Creator-God in their efforts to come together on good terms. Prayers should also be offered for the work of the official mediator and for the peacemakers and observers who stand in the way of violent confrontation.

Spiritual leaders of all faith groups are asked to announce the Prayer Gathering event scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on October 23rd to their members at Sunday services on the 22nd. Elders, Bishops, Presidents and other denominational titular heads should have the pre-eminent voice.

Invitations to pray have been sent to First Nations elders and Spiritual Leaders from Burnt Church and within Mi'kmaq and other First Nations communities. Members of the Big Cove First Nation have already held prayer gatherings in support of this work. The invitation has been accepted by the Maritime Conference of the United Church of Canada.

Faith groups are encouraged to pursue the theme from the Prayer Gatherings during their regular ecumenical gatherings, and to participate in awareness and training sessions available through the Christian Peacemakers Team and the United Church's Maritime Conference.

The group encourages the participation of those who welcome spiritual influences in their deliberations, such as the Maritime Fishermen's Union, Common Front (New Brunswick), Coastal Communities Network (Nova Scotia), Aboriginal Rights Coalition, New Brunswick Environmental Network and the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.

We anticipate that this work will grow international in scope, engaging Spiritual leaders from all corners of the Earth in this worthy undertaking.