A group of women who perform as a drum group spoke out Monday, expressing shock and anger after a church rejected their traditional practices.
A fundraising event put on by Mennonite Central Committee was postponed on the weekend due to controversy over a smudging ceremony
The organization had planned for 1,200 guests to arrive at the Immanuel Pentecostal Church Saturday.
MCC planned to celebrate their 50th anniversary with a benefit concert.
Late last week, the church told them they did not want Buffalo Gals drum group, one of the performers, to do a smudging ceremony.
"I wasn't surprised they wouldn't allow us to smudge inside. But they additionally told us that smudging anywhere on the property would not be allowed," said Ron Janzen of the Mennonite Central Committee. “We had a lot of anguishing moments over the last couple of days discussing that."
MCC says the Buffalo Gals did not want to perform without doing the smudging. On Monday, the group spoke out.
Drummer Val Vint, a founding member of the Buffalo Gals, says the practice of smudging before a performance helps in many ways.
"To be present, to be centred, to be in a peaceful way," said Vint.
Speaking on the telephone, Immanuel Pentecostal Church Pastor Scott Bullerwell said tolerance of traditional beliefs goes both ways.
"I don't recall the Buffalo Gals saying 'We respect their faith tradition and we will acquiesce and remove ourselves from the program,'"he said.
Vint said the drummers were hurt by the church's decision to ban their traditional practice.
"That circle is about is living together, learning to accept and celebrate our differences," said Vint. "What would the world be without that?"
The MCC said it is looking at options for different venues where they can host the event and it will be one willing to accommodate the Buffalo Gals and their traditional practices.
- with a report from Ben Miljure
