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Now Hookimaw-Witt is at the centre of a bitter dispute within the parish, one that Bishop Robert Bourgon characterizes as an “obvious power struggle” and a private fight in the community.

“This is a minor squabble they are trying to make into more than it is,” he said. “I am not playing this out. I am not going to make it a native-against-the-big-white-bishop (dispute). That is not going to happen.”

Photo by Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Part of that dispute revolves around who owns the stained-glass windows. If it is not resolved, the bishop has warned, the windows will have to be removed.

He added he is hopeful the community can find a “respectful and Christian” solution.

Hookimaw-Witt says the windows are for the community, but they belong to her and her husband because it was their project aimed at promoting healing and commemorating loved ones. Her parents and four of her siblings attended residential schools run by the Catholic church.

Hookimaw-Witt said she fears the church, which its bishop admits is struggling financially, could close its doors and take the windows. There are no indications of plans to do so, but the bishop told her the church could be closed if it is not helpful to the community and conflicts can not be resolved.

On Twitter she said: “These windows were for our healing … the bishop wants them removed.”

She acknowledged that the truth and reconciliation grant for the windows was handled through the church, but said it was understood “we were the owners of the windows.”