Beardy Becomes First Native Diocesan Bishop
Episcopal News Service. November 7, 1996 [96-1614H]
(ENS) The Diocese of Keewatin in Canada recently elected the first aboriginal person to the office of diocesan bishop. Bishop Gordon Beardy, a former Oji-Cree chief who has served as suffragan bishop of Keewatin since September 1993, was elected on the sixth ballot from a field of six candidates. The Diocese of Keewatin covers about 300,000 square miles in northern Ontario and Manitoba. "Most native people have been ministered to instead of being involved in ministry," Beardy said. "Here in Keewatin aboriginal people have felt comfortable with the church." He said that while a national native covenant seeking a partnership with the Anglican Church that would extend across Canada has been signed, there is the mistaken impression that native peoples want to separate from the church. "Not so," he said. "Native peoples want to be partners. We will continue to work together as the Body of Christ."