Description:
In the Cathedral of the Plains is a collection of stories of individuals-Indigenous and non-Indigenous-who meet and became dear friends. The chronicled events occur mainly in the 1950s and 60s, but the author also shares personal memories of interactions with the people as time moved on. The reader is not only taken on a journey through Blackfoot Country in southern Alberta-and along the eastern slopes on the Rockies-but into the heart of the new territory of 'Reconciliation' and building a better world. Unconscious prejudices and erroneous understandings of history become exposed, and the author's learning journey deepens into profound love, with a heightened sense of the 'Sacred', as it can be experienced under the wide-open skies of the plains.
Brief description: Joan Young has lived in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains near Calgary most of her life. Her professional life was spent teaching young children, but her passion outside the classroom has been exploring the cultural and physical landscapes around her. Spending long hours adventuring in the eastern slopes of the mountains, travelling the backroads of the prairies, and meeting the people who live there, she first met members of the Blackfoot nations in her early twenties. Their mutual membership in the Bahá'í Faith allowed her to begin spending significant time with them. Some of these individuals became close personal friends, significantly affecting the way she viewed the history of the land around her. She began recording stories of lifelong friendships between Blackfoot and settler individuals in 2013.
Review Quotes:
This is a beautifully written book, and it is also a very important one. One of the most enduring blights on the history of Canada is the story of how Canadian Indigenous people were systematically oppressed, impoverished, persecuted, and marginalized in the making of our country. A sad result of that history is that many Indigenous and non-Indigenous people have lived in two solitudes for more than a century behind a wall of prejudice, ignorance and fear for each other. This remarkable story chronicles how the fire of the love of God was kindled in the hearts of hundreds of Indigenous as well as non-Indigenous people to such an extent that many of them in both communities dedicated the rest of their lives to weaving enduring strands of love and unity between their respective communities.
Michael Bopp, Director, Four Worlds Centre for Development Learning. Co-author, The Sacred Tree and Recreating the World: A practical guide to building sustainable communities
This book offers evocative pen portraits of people, places and events in Treaty 7 Territory during the mid 20th century. Author Joan Young writes about the intrepid souls, most of whom she met through their mutual membership in the Bahá'í Faith, who were dedicated to the oneness of humanity and to forging friendships across racial lines, particularly between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Told with tenderness and love, these stories offer hope in the ongoing journey to create a better world for future generations.
Patricia Verge, author of Equals and Partners: A Spiritual Journey Toward Reconciliation and Oneness
In this endearing collection, author Joan Young weaves together captivating stories of individuals who played pivotal roles in the emergence and growth of a new global faith in Alberta, Canada. Young's heartfelt tribute honours the diverse contributions of early adopters, with special recognition given to Indigenous leaders whose friendship became an integral part of the community's fabric. Canadian Bahá'ís will find themselves transported to a time of remarkable mobility and connection, rediscovering the roots of their faith through surprising personal links. For general readers, this work offers an inspiring glimpse into the power of cross-cultural and intergenerational bonds, showcasing how shared beliefs can unite people across diverse backgrounds.
Maureen Flynn-Burhoe, visual artist and art educator, meta4site.com