48. Church parties to the residential schools settlement and other faith groups to adopt and comply with UNDRIP

We call upon the church parties to the Settlement Agreement, and all other faith groups and interfaith social justice groups in Canada who have not already done so, to formally adopt and comply with the principles, norms and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation. This would include, but not be limited to, to following commitments:

i) Ensuring that their institutions, policies, programs and practices comply with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

ii) Respecting Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in spiritual matters, including the right to practise, develop and teach their own spiritual and religious traditions, customs and ceremonies, consistent with Article 12:1 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

iii) Engaging in ongoing public dialogue and actions to support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

iv) Issuing a statement, no later than March 31, 2016, from all religious denominations and faith groups, as to how they will implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

All the church parties to the Settlement Agreement have committed to implementing UNDRIP into their framework, are engaging in ongoing dialogue about it and have issued a statement outlining their commitment to it.

In June 2015, the Anglican Church of Canada, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Roman Catholic Entities Parties to the Settlement Agreement, the United Church of Canada and the Jesuits of English Canada released a joint statement supporting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, including Call to Action #48.

Furthermore, each of the faith groups later released individual statements outlining how they will comply with UNDRIP.

In March 2016, seven churches and faith groups released “An Ecumenical Statement on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” in support of Call to Action #48.

United Church:

In March 2016, the United Church issued a statement saying “The United Church of Canada expresses publicly our commitment to honouring Call to Action #48, adopting and complying with the principles, norms and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”

The United Church of Canada stated that the Aboriginal Ministries Council in the United Church, along with the “non-Indigenous (settler) church began a process of consultation to determine its own vision and future structure. The Caretakers of Our Indigenous Circle (a group of 13 Indigenous Elders) will make recommendations to the 43rd General Council in 2018.”

In a March 2016 statement, the United Church of Canada stated “The United Church recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ rights to their own cultural and spiritual practices and acknowledges how as an institution it continues to be enriched by Indigenous wisdom and ways of knowing.”

The United Church of Canada states it has created a “task group on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” and will develop procedures to determine how best to align the church with UNDRIP.

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops:

In a March 2016 statement, the CCCB stated their commitment to “Encourage Bishops, as well as the superiors of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, together with lay Catholic organizations, to invite a greater acquaintance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in their dioceses and eparchies, in their parishes and educational institutions and in their communities and pastoral work, thus fostering continuing reflection in local contexts in how various aspects of the Declaration can be implemented or supported.”

A March 2016 Catholic Response to Call to Action #48 stated “The TRC Final Report rightly observes that when Christians, through the residential schools, belittled Indigenous students as ‘pagans’ or ‘demonized, punished and terrorized them into accepting Christian beliefs,’ this was a fundamental contradiction to the core beliefs of Christianity.”

It went on to say the “glaring failures to respect the identity and freedom of Indigenous children outlined in the TRC final report are particularly saddening and must never be repeated.”

It stated for those who follow Indigenous spirituality, “the Catholic Church approaches them as we would the followers of any other religion: with humility, respect and the invitation to a sincere dialogue.”

Anglican Church of Canada:

In a March 2016 statement, Archbishop Fred Hiltz said “I believe the full text of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples should be included in the handbook of the General Synod and regarded as a guiding document in our relationship with Indigenous Peoples.”

He went on to state “I am calling for a reference to this Document … to be included in programs of preparation of candidates for baptism and confirmation in our church.”

The Anglican Church of Canada stated it is dedicated to including UNDRIP in its General Synod, and recommends that every parish should read UNDRIP on the Sunday closest to National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21 of each year).

Presbyterian Church of Canada:

In a March 2016 statement, it committed to creating a report on Free, Prior and Informed Consent concerning the church’s investments in resource companies.

The church also stated that UNDRIP “provides a clear and positive framework for reconciliation” and that it committed “to using it to enhance our journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous People in Canada.”

In a January 2015 statement (prior to the release of the TRC Calls to Action), the Presbyterian Church released “The Statement on Aboriginal Healing Practices.”

Regarding Aboriginal spiritualities and practices, it stated “Our church…. is deeply respectful of these traditions. We acknowledge them as important spiritual practices through which Aboriginal peoples experience the presence of the creator God. In this spirit, the Presbyterian Church of Canada is committed to walking with Aboriginal people in seeking shared truth that will lead to restoring right relations.”

The Presbyterian Church created the Healing and Reconciliation Program, which incorporates the UNDRIP declaration in the leadership workshops so that “members of our denomination understand that the Declaration is a framework for reconciliation.” It also states that they encourage congregations “to learn about the Declaration in partnership with Indigenous people in their communities.”

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada:

In a March 2016 statement, the ELCIC stated “The ELCIC endorses the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”

The ELCIC also stated it will “adopt the declaration as a standard for own practice. We commit to implementing the values and principles of the declaration within the work and structure of this church.”

The ELCIC also committed to review “its policies, programs and practices in order to ensure they comply with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”

This review was to be completed in 2018.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada also stated “As an educator, the ELCIC will raise awareness of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples among its congregation and members. We will encourage all members to participate in discussions that help deepen understanding and we will post a list of resources to support the educational process.”