The Church’s relationship with Indigenous peoples in Canada has been marked by colonization and the racist beliefs that underscored colonization (namely, the superiority of a Christianized, western European worldview). The Church has apologized and confessed its role in running residential schools, its complicity in the harms of colonization, and rejected the Doctrine of Discovery. The church is committed to walking toward reconciliation. This includes advocating that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is the framework for reconciliation, responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and engaging with the findings of the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice . In 2006, General Assembly established the Healing and Reconciliation program to assist individuals and congregations that are building relationships based on justice, love of neighbour, and mutual respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Funds
Honouring the Children: Reconciliation and Residential Schools Fund
This fund supports Indigenous-led initiatives associated with searches for unmarked burial sites, responding to trauma and supporting healing initiatives in Indigenous nations and communities where schools were operated by The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Healing and Reconciliation Seed Fund
This fund is to support Presbyterian groups (sessions, presbyteries, WMS or AMS groups etc.) in relationship building initiatives between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
For more information and resources visit the Social Action Hub’s – Indigenous Justice page.
