Exchanging Hearts, Sacred Unsettlement
A three-part series on Settler responsibility
and right relationship with Indigenous peoples
Thursdays, March 19 & 26, 2026
1:30 - 3:00 pm ET - online
(Session 3 will follow at a later date, see below)
What does it mean to follow Jesus faithfully as a Settler in Canada? What responsibilities do we carry, personally, communally, theologically, in the ongoing work of right relationship, decolonization, and justice with Indigenous neighbours?
These aren't easy questions, but they are gospel questions, and they are ones that the New Leaf community is well-suited to wrestle with together.
Join us for this three-part series with Mike Hogeterp, drawing on years of research, relationship, and his own journey of sacred unsettlement. Rooted in the story of Hearts Exchanged, a decolonization and right relationship learning journey within the Christian Reformed Churches in Canada, this series opens that story to the broader Canadian church. It invites Settler followers of Jesus into honest reflection, community storytelling, and the hard, beautiful work of walking with integrity toward justice and right relationship with Indigenous kin.
This is not just a series. It is, as Ojibwe scholar Shawn Wilson might say, a ceremony. One that bridges distances, honours truth, and serves community.
Session 1: Introducing the Question
We begin with the core question: What are the responsibilities of Settler followers of Jesus in the journey of right relationship, decolonization, and justice with Indigenous peoples?
Mike will introduce key research themes (listening and humility; responsibility, power and kenosis; decolonization as deconstruction; syncretism and mission; treaty and covenant) and share stories from his own heart learning as a Settler. This session sets the foundation and invites participants into the ongoing ceremony of this work.
This Learning Centre session will be recorded and made available afterwards for those who sign up but cannot attend in person.
Session 2: Storytelling on Settler Responsibility and Unsettlement
Drawing on the circle dialogue approach of Hearts Exchanged, this session centres the stories of participants. With the help of guiding questions, we'll create space for honest, honoured sharing about our own experiences of unsettlement, right relationship, and the journey of decolonization. A group of 7 to 12 participants is ideal for this session. Please join us for the interaction session for this session.
Session 3: Return to Community (at a later date)
After Session 2, Mike will move the stories gathered through a qualitative research process (coding, theme identification, analysis) and bring findings back to the group. In this final session, we'll review what emerged, invite feedback, and let that feedback shape the ongoing writing. This is community accountability in action.
Presenter:
Register
There are two options to access the New Leaf Learning Centre: a monthly subscription or a one-series pass (below). For the monthly subscription, please visit here. This series is available for free. Please complete the registration to receive online access to this series.
This series is offered for free. Please complete the registration to receive online access to this series. If you would like to donate to support the work of New Leaf, please visit https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/donate
