News Blog

Let’s Play “Feather & Cross Bingo” and Expand Our Knowledge of Our Indigenous Peoples

After National Indigenous History Month in June, the Eastern Synod Office encourages us to keep experiencing and learning about Indigenous peoples with “Feather and Cross bingo”. Help fill a bingo card for MLC —over the summer— by reading books, going to powwows and doing other activities that help us walk boldly along the path to Truth and Reconciliation. Send a recap and photos to the MLC office and share on your social media using the hashtags #FEATHERANDCROSSBINGO or #myELCIC.

Congregations and/or individuals who provide proof of completing their bingo card by the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2026 will be entered into a raffle to win one of five prizes! Keep an eye on the Eastern Synod as well as the Feather and Cross websites and Facebook/Instagram pages for more info on prizes and bingo updates: https://featherandcross.org/, https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFriendshipBuilding
Send your photos, questions, etc. to: admin@featherandcross.org

Bingo Card, Instructions, and Resource List are here: https://easternsynod.org/event/feather-cross-bingo-is-almost-here/

Here are some suggestions to fill each box in the Bingo card.

Read a book by an Canadian Indigenous author

Follow 3 Indigenous Organizations on social media- Feather & Cross counts!

  • Feather and Cross
  • Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT) Instagram: nativecentre
  • Native Women’s Association of Canada – Instagram: nwac_canada, Facebook: Native Women’s Association of Canada, X: @NWAC_CA
  • Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre – Insta: tocouncilfire, Facebook: Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, X:@TOCouncilFire
  • Tkaronto Indigenous Peoples Portal (TIPP) – Insta: tasscofficial, X: @TASSCouncil

Attend University of Waterloo Pow Wow or another in your area
Pow Wow Calendar and Visitors Guide: calendar.powwows.com/events/categories/pow-wows/pow-wows-in-ontario

  • Gidinawendamin/Ska’nikú•lát 23rd Annual Pow Wow
    September 26, 2026, 10-5:30 pm at the University of Waterloo, Columbia Icefield (CIF), Outdoor Field 7220 Columbia St W, Waterloo, ON
    https://uwaterloo.ca/indigenous/events-days-significance/pow-wow-23
    For more information, Email powwow@uwaterloo.ca
  • Wiikwemkoong Annual Cultural Festival Pow Wow, Wikwemikong, ON
    August 1 – 3, 2026
    For more information, contact the Wiikwemikong Heritage Organization at (705) 859-2385 or visit the Wiikwemikong Heritage Facebook.
  • Chippewas of the Thames First Nation 49th Annual Competition Pow Wow, Muncey, ON
    August 15 – 16, 2026
    General inquiries: pday@cottfn.com
  • Three Fires Homecoming Pow Wow & Traditional Gathering, Hagersville, ON
    August 22 – 23, 2026
    There will be entertainment on the night of August 21st.

Visit Six Nations Reserve, or a local reserve in your area

Discover and learn about an Indigenous Artist

Shop a local Indigenous business or online

Complete 2 weeks of “52 Ways to Reconcile”
Read book by David A. Robertson, https://www.cbc.ca/books/bookends/for-david-a-robertson-stories-are-at-the-heart-of-reconciliation-1.7547560

Listen to an Indigenous podcast or musician
Podcasts:

Musicians:

  • William Prince
  • Jeremy Dutcher
  • Susan Aglukark
  • Joel Wood
  • Elisapie
  • The Halluci Nation
  • Aysanabee

Host / Attend a Call 30 Exercise (KW only) or Kairos Blanket Exercise
Find the Kairos blanket exercise here: https://kairosblanketexercise.org/

Locate an Indigenous organization and donate to them

Participate in a bookclub and pick a local Indigenous author

Draw, paint or journal about an Indigenous teaching you have experienced

Write & share a prayer for MMIP, National Indigenous People Day or other for your church

Wear an Orange shirt purchased from a local Indigenous Organization

  • Eastern Synod:
    Lana, an artistic creator from Kitchener-Waterloo, draws inspiration from her Indigenous and German heritage. She manages the Feather & Cross organization’s hub at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, promoting Indigenous perspectives within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
    Her design, “Every Child Matters: The Tree of Life,” features hands as the trunk and roots nurturing a nest of birds, symbolizing the duty to protect life and also representing the Holy Trinity. The design incorporates a central heart, heart-shaped leaves, seven feathers honouring the Seven Sacred Teachings, and fish-shaped leaves representing interconnectedness and the importance of water. Anchored by the “EVERY CHILD MATTERS” banner, it highlights the collective responsibility to support individuals in a values-based community.Women’s: https://design.tshirtelephant.com/EasternSynod/shop/product-detail/14034622Men’s: https://design.tshirtelephant.com/EasternSynod/shop/product-detail/14034623

Watch a Survivor testimony on YouTube

Host a Feather & Cross workshop/ church visit (KW only) or other learning activity.

Back To Top