Stan, Melanie, Melody and Steve

Stan McKay (Cree)

Stan McKay is a theology graduate from the University of Winnipeg and was ordained on his home reservation in Fisher River in 1971, and served as moderator of the United Church of Canada from 1992-1994. He has energy for building cross cultural relations and addressing historical and present injustice. Dorothy and Stan are retired by Netley Creek.

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow.”  Matthew 6:28

Melanie Kampen (Settler/Mennonite)

Melanie Kampen recently completed her Master of Theological Studies at Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo. Her research interests are at the intersection of Christian theology and settler-colonialism in North America. She is also involved in Mennonite Church Manitoba's Partnership Circles with Matheson Island and Pauingassi First Nation and plugs into the local Idle No More movement whenever she can. 

"Let justice roll down like water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream!" Amos 5:24

Melody McKellar (Mohawk/French)

Melody, who lives east of Beausejour with husband Ernest Bradshaw, is a member of the Spiritual Health Team at Selkirk Mental Health Centre.  She is completing her Masters of Sacred Theology with a major in “Intercultural Ministry”.  Melody and Ernest both own and operate a Bison Ranch in their ‘spare time’ and use no chemicals on the land.  They deliberately leave wetlands in the fields for the wild birds and animals to share and do not allow hunting on the land so the animals have sanctuary to raise their young.

“It will take each and everyone of us to work together from this moment on, regardless of race, creed or culture for the earth to continue to sustain life for generations to come.”

Steve Heinrichs (Settler/Christian)

Steve, on the left

Steve Heinrichs lives in Treaty 1 Territory, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, along with his spouse Ann and their three children, Abby, Aiden and Isabelle.  Steve is the editor of the groundbreaking book "Buffalo Shout, Salmon Cry".  A former reservist with Christian Peacemaker Teams in Palestine, Steve pastored a Mennonite church in northern BC.  Currently Steve is Indigenous relations director for Mennonite Church Canada.  On Sundays, Steve and family walk a few blocks to Hope Mennonite Church – a community of activists, doubters, and Jesus-followers - for worship, Word and nursery chaos.

“The glory of the human has become the desolation of the Earth. The desolation of the Earth is becoming the destiny of the human. It is imperative, therefore, that all human institutions and activities - economic, political, and religious - be judged primarily by the extent to which they inhibit, ignore, or foster a mutually enhancing human-Earth relationship.”   -Thomas Berry (1914-2009)