Right Relationships in 2021

The Canadian news media are now awash with reporting and personal stories regarding the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves containing the remains of Indigenous children who died while held at Residential Schools. I've already noted that public response is as though this is revelatory, the first evidence of the grim consequences of the cruelty and cultural genocide of the school system. This outpouring of regret and contrition is necessary  but it reveals that Canadians have largely ignored the apologies of Christian denominations and governments going back more than 30 years. More importantly, it is as though the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, with its revelations and Calls to Action didn't register either.

https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-calls-to-action 

In previous blog entries I have shared the United Church apologies to Indigenous peoples, the first and general apology from 1986 and the more specific Residential School apology from 1998.  Here is a letter from UCC Moderator Richard Bott addressed to clergy regarding recent discoveries. I appreciate that our denomination continues to find its way toward reconciliation. I've included the link to the UCC Healing Fund as well. The Healing Fund was established in 1994 to support healing initiatives for survivors of the residential school system 

June 25, 2021

Dear Colleagues in Ministry:

I am writing you as the truth about unmarked graves on the sites of former residential schools continues to emerge, confirming what many people in Indigenous communities have said and known for years.

I know that you and members of your congregations have questions about what the church is doing or will be doing in response. The General Secretary and I are working with the Indigenous Ministries and Justice staff to reach out to the communities affected by the 15 schools we operated. We want to ensure that our denomination’s response is firmly grounded in the principles of right relationship that we seek to live. This is ongoing work that requires our support and participation. As the conversations continue, I will keep you updated.

This is a time for The United Church of Canada to listen rather than prescribe. The pain in Indigenous communities and churches is immense. I ask you to continue to hold Indigenous members of the United Church and their families and communities in prayer and ask members of your community of faith to do the same. 

Blessings,

The Right Reverend Richard Bott
Moderator / Modérateur
The United Church of Canada / L’Église Unie du Canada

https://united-church.ca/community-and-faith/being-community/indigenous-ministries/healing-fund