Inclusive Heathenry in Canada By The Wild Hunt

By The Wild Hunt

News correspondent, Rachel Mohan, and news editor, Star Bustamonte, both contributed to this article.

VARS, Ontario, Canada – In March of 2021, a new not-for-profit organization in Canada was founded to serve those who practice Heathenry. As the group approaches its second anniversary TWH spoke with a representative for The Heathen Confederation of Canada (HCC), which defines its focus as “a not-for-profit organization that aims to educate and build understanding about our religion, develop alliances with other minority groups, and act as a liaison for our members to government and the media.” Unlike many of the other Heathen organizations, the HCC is based on serving individual members, and not kindreds, according to Erik Lacharity, National Representative and official Spokesperson for the HCC. Lacharity told TWH, “When the HCC was just percolating as an idea, I took a look at other organizations out there to see how we could centre ourselves. It became very clear that these organizations operate most often as theological or congregational bodies.” While Lacharity acknowledged that there was a much-needed place for those types of organizations in the Heathen community, he highlighted the HCC’s desire to approach their work “more from a place of representation than theology.” He said, “Every Heathen will believe or worship differently, some may come together and form kindreds, others may not. What is needed is a strong national voice in Canada for Heathens in general.”

Lacharity continued, “It was important for myself and the formative members to work on the commonalities of individual Heathens and to work towards sharing those commonalities with the non-Heathen public. We wish to take our ways and needs to the national stage, to demystify and normalize Heathenry for government, employers, schools, indigenous communities, etc. Whereas most organizations will work to grow Heathen religiosity, we will work to ensure that Heathens always have a right to ‘be’ Heathens. Paramount to that is that the Heathens we are to be in Canada, are inclusive, open to diverse Heathen perspectives, and that we are productive positive members of society.” Erik Lacharity, official Spokesperson and National Representative (NR) for the HCC [courtesy]

In recent years, there has been a renewed and stronger focus on inclusivity in Pagan circles, and in particular among some Heathen groups.

Lacharity outlined how the HCC views inclusivity, “Inclusive Heathenry is a Heathenry which encourages, makes space, actively listens to, takes direction from Heathens in our community who are from diverse, marginalized and racialized backgrounds. It means that as Heathens we have to recognize and be accountable for the racist roots of Heathenry’s past (and present).”

“We have to be honest to ourselves and Canada in recognizing that Heathenry has a historic problem with white supremacy and colonial ideals. It has been my personal experience that many Heathens downplay, evade or in some way attempt to sweep these things under the rug. However, in doing so, Heathens are evading the collective responsibility we have to dismantle these ideologies in our midst and take Heathenry forward in a way which is healthy and positive in society,” Lacharity said.

He also pointed out that, “All members of the HCC must uphold the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms section 15 (1), the Human Rights Act of Ontario’s prohibition of discrimination and actively work towards efforts of truth and reconciliation with indigenous peoples.”

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in Canada released its final six-volume report in December of 2015, which detailed measures recommended for rebuilding trust and relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of Canada that included First Nations, the Métis Nation, and Inuit.

The HCC notes on its website two articles from the TRC report:

Lacharity emphasized, “It is important to specify these things at the outset of the HCC and during these times as the rise of white supremacy, western chauvinism, far-right extremism and other disgusting movements have been attracted to Heathenry to various degrees. What they are attracted to however, is not the religious expression of Heathenry, but rather a distorted aesthetic which they wish to pin their negative ideals upon.” “Many of these types are mistaken in believing that Heathenry is their ‘ethnic ancestral ways.’ They live in a fantasy. Unfortunately, that fantasy has real-world impacts on inclusive Heathens who identify as such publicly,” he continued. “The fact is that Heathenry, as we understand it today, is not the ancient belief of ancient Heathens. Ours is a modern religion that is built upon many sources which we have gathered together into a largely cohesive modern religiosity and that is a beautiful thing. We do not need to shroud Heathenry in a fantastical belief that it is a 40,000-year-old ancestral ‘uninterrupted’ monolithic Northern European religion. These are the things the HCC is actively working to counter.” As for the benefits of joining the HCC, Lacharity told TWH, “I would say that the largest benefit of being a part of the HCC is summed up in our unofficial motto ‘if we don’t invest in our own identity, someone else will,’ meaning, members have an important say in how Heathenry will be shaped on a national scale in Canada.”

“The HCC holds many membership surveys and includes all members in important questions on our organizations’ direction. It is important that the National Council hear from our members and implement decisions on our mandate(s) which have been informed by our collective voice.

“Admittedly, if one does not get excited about policy, government consultation and surveys, it may be difficult to see the benefits. However, knowing that the HCC is committed to ensuring Heathenry in Canada is presented in a positive manner, with an inclusive mandate baked into our bones, should be seen as the greatest benefit.

“On a more individual level, members will meet like-minded Heathens throughout Canada, they will be called upon to add their voice to our grassroots movement and above all, there is a sense of pride in knowing you – as an individual Heathen – are at the forefront of Heathenry in Canada’s representative goals,” Lacharity stated. While Heathens were represented as making up 6% of the general population in the self-reporting Worldwide Heathen Census 2013 done by TWH columnist, Dr. Karl E. H. Siegfried, it is likely that number is much larger in scope in 2023.

Lacharity reported that as of last fall, the HCC had 50 members. In a July 2022 survey of its membership, approximately 26% of the HCC members who responded practice Heathenry strictly on their own, while 34% practice in a group (kindred or other), and 17% reported that they participated in both a group and solitary practice equally.

As for the structure of the HCC, Lacharity told TWH, “The national body of the HCC is subdivided into five (5) regional areas of representation. These are the Pacific, North & Prairies, Ontario, Québec, and the Maritimes. Each of these areas is to have its own permanent regional committees.” He also noted, “That said, presently we have not begun the regional committees work as we are still laying our foundation. It is expected that in 2023-24 at least two regions will have committees, namely North & Prairies and Ontario as they have the largest concentration of members.”

As the middle of this month will mark the HCC’s second year, Lacharity noted that the organization has made important steps towards meeting the mandates they had laid out. Lacharity said, “In that time we have moved forward on holding membership townhalls, engaging in member-direct surveys and looking at ways to engage with indigenous peoples on truth and reconciliation.”

“We have also made impressive headway on a new website, including an online membership payment portal, which facilitates member involvement and getting the word out on our organization. We have been very busy developing and refining our policies, which are the backbone of any successful organization.”

“There are many exciting things in the works, but the groundwork for ensuring success on those files is our top priority at this time. It is our hope that in the coming year, the Regional Committees will be formulated and provide a regional voice and engagement opportunities for Heathens in their respective Canadian locales,” Lacharity said. “There is no shortage of ideas within our membership on how we can drive our organization forward. How we will move forward will always be informed and methodical, the more members we represent will ensure that those ways forward encompass diverse voices.”

He also noted that “We would like to engage with other Heathen organizations outside Canada on topics which are of mutual concern. These topics focus on identity, combating negative uses of Heathen religious symbolism, working on being more inclusive and to uplift marginalized voices within our organizations.”

“We are not interested in establishing religious dogmas or homogenizing Heathenry worldwide, these are matters for theological organizations. How can we best represent inclusive Heathens across borders is our primary objective. If the HCC can become a global leader in this mandate, we will work towards setting that example for those who wish to follow a similar course,” Lacharity concluded.