1

The United Church of Canada

Partner Council Message
July 29, 2014

But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an overflowing stream
Amos 5:24

Greetings from the Partner Council of The United Church of Canada, in the name of
the Creator of all things in Heaven and on Earth.

In 2013 the Partner Council asked The United Church of Canada for an opportunity at
its next gathering to learn more about the issues and concerns of Aboriginal peoples
in Canada and within the United Church. We are grateful to the United Church for
responding to this request as we came together in southern Ontario July 21-29, 2014.
We are grateful to the First Nations Communities who welcomed us warmly and
shared their stories so honestly. We were honoured by the hospitality extended to
us and deeply moved by the stories we heard, experiences we shared and
testimonies we received. We appreciated the opportunity to accompany Aboriginal
peoples for a short time on a part of their journey and are committed to continuing
to accompany that journey towards justice and peace for all the peoples of Canada.

We members of the Partner Council represent diverse global contexts. We carry our
own experiences of colonialism, historic injustices, discrimination, violence,
oppression, struggles for the rights of Indigenous peoples. We also carry
experiences of resilience and of work for transformation. We received the stories
and testimonies of those we met in Canada rooted in and informed by these
contexts.

During our time in Canada we were received in community:
In the Six Nations Territory by Grand River United Church, Chapel of the
Delaware and Nations Uniting
In the Mississauga of the New Credit Territory by New Credit United Church
By Moraviantown United Church
By the Fairfield Museum
By the Nmaachihna Environment Centre
By Calvary United Church, London
By the United Church Aboriginal Ministries Council

2

At the United Church National Aboriginal Spiritual Gathering coordinated by
the Aboriginal Ministries Council
By the Oneida Nation of the Thames, by the Oneida United Church
In Walpole Island Territory by Walpole Island United Church and the Walpole
Island Heritage Centre
In Chippewa of the Thames Territory at the memorial monument at the site of
the Mount Elgin Industrial Residential School
In the broader ecumenical justice community through participation in the
KAIROS Blanket Exercise


During our time in these communities, we were witness to and participants in efforts
of The United Church of Canada to live out its commitment to right relations with
Aboriginal peoples as well as the ongoing processes of dialogue, discussion and
reconciliation.

We shared the anxieties and sorrows expressed to us by the communities and
individuals we met.

We learned about and mourn the many oppressive situations that caused the
death of Aboriginal peoples.

We learned about and mourn the poverty that continues to be the reality for
many Aboriginal peoples.

We learned about and mourn the economic, social exclusion and deprivation
experienced by many Aboriginal peoples.

We learned about and mourn the breakdown of family structures in many
Aboriginal communities and the risks posed for the wellbeing of individuals,
families and communities.

We learned about and mourn the failure of the Canadian government to
honour treaties and agreements made with Aboriginal peoples.

We learned about and mourn the implications of systemic underfunding for
health care and education for Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

We learned that while stories of great pain have been shared, the whole truth
of historic and continuing systemic injustice for Aboriginal peoples, including
residential schools, is not yet fully revealed. We understand many Canadians
continue to be unaware of the history and current context of Aboriginal
peoples. There remains much work to be done by churches, civil society and
Aboriginal peoples in Canada before reconciliation can be truly achieved.

3

In the midst of sharing the sorrow and pain of individuals and communities we also
witnessed a strong resilience and strength of spirit amongst the Aboriginal
communities we visited. We sense a moving into a new time and celebrate the
potential of reaching a time of transformation toward wholeness.

This hope and possibility needs to be nourished. As Partner Council, we pledge our
support and solidarity with the United Church and Aboriginal communities, together
pursuing a common vision of peace and justice with all those of like mind.

From our perspective and experience we believe there is much that can be done by
The United Church of Canada and others in pursuit of this vision. The United Church
can do some things particularly well given its long-standing commitment to justice-
seeking.


As Partner Council we call on The United Church of Canada to use its influence and to:

Press Canadian governments to live up to the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous peoples and honour agreements and treaties made with
Aboriginal peoples.

Press Canadian governments to expedite the resolution of outstanding land
claims.

Work for the just and equitable treatment of Aboriginal peoples in Canada
particularly around issues of health care, housing and education.

Engage with newcomers to Canada so that they may learn about Aboriginal
history and concerns and join the building of right relationships.

Actively engage with civil society on Aboriginal issues and concerns.

Seek ways to engage and empower Aboriginal youth, supporting innovative
ways of learning and recovering language, tradition and heritage.

Find new ways of supporting communities as they work with youth at risk and
others suffering from psychological trauma and addictions.

Join with others who aspire to justice and reconciliation for all, reaching out to
all faith communities to be part of the journey towards healing.

Ensure that when developing strategies that respond to the churchs financial
concerns, the vision and work of building right relationships remains a high
priority for the allocation of resources.

4



We know from our own varied experience that the struggle for justice is long and
hard. We appreciate and give thanks to God for the United Church`s engagement in
the long and challenging process towards fullness of life for all.

We celebrate the hope and resilience we have seen in Aboriginal communities and
the possibilities of transformation we have witnessed.

We offer the church and Aboriginal communities our prayers, encouragement, and
assurance of ongoing solidarity on the continued journey towards right relations.

You are not alone.
Together we live in Gods world.
Thanks be to God.

Miigwetch.

MIGUEL TOMS CASTRO
Emmanuel Baptist Church, El Salvador

ESHA FAKI
Peace for Life, Kenya

PEGGY MULAMBYA KABONDE
The United Church of Zambia

JOHNSON MBILLAH
Program for Christian Muslim
Relations in Africa
REX REYES
National Council of Churches in the
Philippines

MARILLIA SCHULLER
KOINONIA, Brazil

SUNITA SUNA
World Student Christian Federation,
Asia-Pacific Region
29 JULY 2014
TORONTO
In absentia:
JENNIFER HENRY
KAIROS Canada

RAMZI ZANANIRI
Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees of the Middle East Council of
Churches Israel/Palestine