Fifth Anniversary of the TRC Calls to Action

Yesterday, June 2, marked five years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada launched its 94 Calls to Action, a roadmap to a new relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. There is still a long way to go, and today we ask everyone to take a moment and reflect on where we are, and where we are still called to go in our journey of reconciliation.

[Photo credit: The United Church of Canada]

New Worship Resources for National Indigenous Day of Prayer

Sunday, June 21, 2020 is National Indigenous Day of Prayer. It is a day set aside to celebrate the Indigenous peoples of Canada: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. It is also a day to reflect on our ongoing need for healing and reconciliation across the land; and a day to reflect on the work we still need to do to live out the promises made by The United Church of Canada in its 1986 and 1998 apologies to Indigenous peoples. Finally, it is a day to look forward to the creative possibilities of reconciled, thriving, and healthy relationships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Two new worship resources on these themes are available for use by communities of faith. They were prepared by an Indigenous writer, Deb Anderson-Pratt, and a non-Indigenous writer, Carolyn Wilson-Wynne, and may be found on The United Church of Canada’s website.

[Photo credit: The United Church of Canada]

Indigenous Circle Stirs Emotion and Action

Members of St. Paul's Indigenous Circle, L to R: Rose Hately, Marilyn Robitaille, Roberta Youngs-Ransom, Dan Gabona, Andrew Jackson.

In the fall of 2018, a group of people interested in increasing awareness and understanding of Indigenous concerns began to meet at St. Paul’s United Church in Bowmanville, Ontario. The new group, the Indigenous Circle, organized a three week series of events for June 2019 to introduce the congregation and community to Indigenous issues. This series culminated in an inspiring National Indigenous Day of Prayer service led by The Rev. Lee Claus (Onkwehon:we).

Many other events have happened since then as the group continues to mark its commitment to reconciliation. To learn more, and to get ideas for your ongoing reconciliation work, check out this blog from Roberta Youngs-Ransom, who chairs the circle.

[Photo credit: Roberta Youngs-Ransom]

Roots of the Indigenous United Church

At 2 p.m. (Mountain time) each Sunday in June, you can observe Indigenous History Month by participating in Zoom discussions of the origins and future of the Indigenous United Church of Canada. Speakers include the Rev. Bernice Saulteaux, the Very Rev. Stan McKay, the Rev. John Snow Jr., and Adrian Jacobs, Keeper of the Circle at the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre. More information, including specific topics, is found in the poster. To register, email Tony Snow.

[Photo credit: Chinook Winds Region/Urban Indigenous Circle]