That day the Metropolitan of Rupert’s Land, the Most Reverend David Ashdown acting on the resolution of the Provincial Synod of the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert’s Land and with the concurrence of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, proclaimed the newest diocese in the Anglican Church. This new diocese, the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh encompasses over twenty-five First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario and Northern Manitoba.
The Proclamation set off a week of special events centred in Kingfisher Lake First Nation which included the first meeting of the Sacred Gathering, the governing body of the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh with special presentations and nightly gospel jamborees spread out over five days.
The Rt. Rev. Lydia Mamakwa was installed as the first Bishop of Mishamikoweesh on June 4, the 93rd anniversary of the birth of the Venerable Dr. William Winter who died March 31, 2011, having devoted his life to pursuing the dream, carried by the elders for over six decades, of a self-determining, self-sustaining Indigenous church within the Anglican Church of Canada. Under his leadership the people chose to move carefully and prayerfully along the journey to make that dream a reality. William and the other elders repeatedly cautioned patience, knowing that everything must be done according to God’s time.