British Columbia Native Ministry

Overview

	Photo credit: Jil Sonia McDonald - Reflections Interior Designs

Brander – Strongraven/Standing Bear – is a Cree First Nation with membership to the Peguis Nation in Hodgson, Manitoba. He was raised in an indigenous Christian home and from the early age of four has been passionate about following the Creator revealed in Christ. Brander now lives in Chilliwack – Sto:lo territory – with his wife, children and grandchildren.

In partnership with Mennonite Church Canada’s Native Ministry and MCCBC, Brander is serving as Mennonite Church British Columbia’s Indigenous Relations Coordinator. Through his gifts of teaching, music and humour, his hope is to connect congregations in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley with their host peoples in deeper, more meaningful ways, breaking down some of the walls of misunderstanding and fear. Brander is also engaging peace and justice concerns by fostering awareness of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission – coming to Vancouver in 2013 – and how we Mennonites can participate in transformative ways.

Pray that Brander will be welcomed by our Mennonite congregations to freely use his gifts, to speak honestly, and joyfully encourage us to be neighbours to the peoples that have been here long before us. Pray that Brander would discover ways for native and non-native to mutually connect and build lasting, just relationships.

Indigenous Relations Coordinator

Brander McDonald
branderbearmcdonald@gmail.com

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