While Sr. Priscilla Solomon doesn’t mind the pat on the back, the real bonus of being named the 2017 Pax Christi Teacher of Peace is the chance to talk about reconciliation. “I’m quite honoured and pleased,” said the 75-year-old Sister of St. Joseph. “(It provides) the opportunity to say a few words about what I see as reconciliation between indigenous people and settlers.”

More than 30 people, comprised of Indigenous, Jesuit, English and French Canadian paddlers, will embark on a month-long, 850-kilometre canoe trip July 21 in response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Following a traditional First Nations canoe trade route, the Canadian Canoe Pilgrimage (CCP) will begin at Midland, Ontario up Georgian Bay, travel across the French River, Lake Nipissing, the Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers, and end near Montreal.