What is a Bindrune?
A bindrune is a group of combined runic symbols to convey a certain purpose.
The Symbolism of this Bindrune
This HCC created bindrune of Truth and Reconciliation was inspired by the phrase,
“Til árs ok friðr”
which translates as,
"To a [good] year (season) and peace (good relations)."
The bindrune combines the runes gebo (gift), wunjo (friendship), and fehu (prosperity) to represent our hopes to build peace and reciprocal friendships with Indigenous communities and work towards fulfilling the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The green background is representative of our organization's logo and our connection to the land, and the gold of the bindrune echoes our wishes of prosperity for our friendship, as well as bringing to mind the Germanic Heathen practice of ring giving as symbolic of the value of turning our words into deeds.
Truth and Reconciliation
The HCC affirms that Heathenry in Canada has a responsibility to recognize, support and learn from Indigenous peoples in Canada and that a wholesome Heathenry, as promoted by the HCC is engaged in efforts of Truth and Reconciliation.
In particular we recognize that Calls to Action 48 and 49 are directed at faith groups and interfaith social justice groups:
Call to Action 48
"We call upon the church parties to the Settlement Agreement, and all other faith groups and interfaith social justice groups in Canada who have not already done so, to formally adopt and comply with the principles, norms, and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation."
Call to Action 49
"We call upon all religious denominations and faith groups who have not already done so to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius."
The HCC, as mandated, does not take theological positions. This means that we cannot direct, dictate, or in any way tell Heathens in Canada how they should live their religious life. However, we feel it is also our responsibility to educate our members on things to consider as they go about their practice on traditional Indigenous lands. We have in common with Indigenous communities a sense of connection to the land and hope to establish common ground as we work towards our mandate of honouring the efforts of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. To this end, we will be consulting with Indigenous communities to better understand how to work together and share what we learn with our members so that they can make informed decisions in their practices.
The HCC Truth & Reconcilation Bindrune
