Mario has served as Pastor for the Louis Bull All Nations Church in Maskwacis Alberta since 2014, and on Chief and Council for the Samson Cree Nation since 2011. He believes these positions have given him a unique perspective on some of the challenges that exist when it comes to reconciliation both politically and at the church level between First Nations and non-first nations. Given Canada’s controversial political past concerning its First Peoples, which includes the residential schools, Mario believes that the body of Jesus Christ has an amazing opportunity right now to demonstrate true reconciliation in tangible and practical ways. First, as individuals, and then as collective bodies (churches, communities, workplaces) where courageous spaces can be created and maintained to have difficult conversations and where healing and true reconciliation becomes a possibility.
