Indigenous Rights & Relationships

Liberated by God’s Grace, the ELCIC encourages all members and congregations to reflect upon our own national and church history, to seek greater understanding of the issues facing Indigenous peoples, and to walk with Indigenous peoples in their ongoing efforts to exercise their inherent sovereignty and fundamental human rights.

In 2011, the ELCIC made a commit to promote right and renewed relationships between non-indigenous and Indigenous Peoples within Canada. In July, 2015, the ELCIC renewed this commitment to truth, reconciliation and equity by repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery. 

We understand this to be both an urgent and a long-term commitment.

Resources

• Suport for Bill C-15
  • Draft letter template for writing to Senator Dan Christmas, chair of the Senate Standing Committe on Aboriginal Peoples
  • Draft letter template for writing to your local Member of Parliament expressing your support for Bill C-15
• Renew Relationships
  • Strength for Climbing: Steps on the Journey of Reconciliation: a KAIROS resource
• Become more aware of the Territory where you live
  • Government of Canada “First Nations Profile Interactive Map”
  • Locally created resource highlighting ELCIC Congregations, First Nations communities, resource agencies and Residential School locations. 
  • Acknowledging Territory in Worship: a United Church of Canada resource
• Deepen your understanding of history
  • Kairos Blanket Exercise
  • National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission
  • 2010 Anglican Church of Canada Resolution on the Doctrine of Discovery
  • 2012 World Council of Churches Statement on the Doctrine of Discovery
• Engage in Accompaniment and Advocacy
  • KAIROS
  • Indigenous Ministries, Anglican Church of Canada
  • Findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
  • Let Justice Roll: Implement theUnited Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • Canadian Council of Churches Undoing Racism Resources
• ELCIC statements
  • ELCIC Resolution on the Doctrine of Discovery
  • 2015 Pastoral Letter regarding the conclusion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
  • 2013 Joint Assembly Declaration
  • 2011 ELCIC Convention Resolution on Encouraging Right Relationships with Indigenous Peoples
  • 1987 A New Covenant: Pastoral Statement by the Leaders of the Christian Churches on Aboriginal Rights and the Canadian Constitution 

For Additional Information, contact Rev. Paul Gehrs, Assistant to the Bishop for Justice and Leadership.