Crown - First Nations Summit

On January 24, First Nations and the Crown (as represented by the Government of Canada) will meet in a formal summit. This official Gathering is a significant moment of opportunity for reconciliation in Canada. We at the Centre for Public Dialogue believe that this is a hopeful moment of prayer and action for a new relationship of trust, partnership and justice between Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people in Canada. We also know that one high level meeting like this wil not provide final solutions to a history of broken relationships and the long term effects of assimilation, paternalism and structural racism. However, this meeting will set the context for the relationship between First Nations and Canada for the foreseeable future.

We are passionately convinced that Jesus' call and promise to make all things new includes Indigenous Justice and Reconciliation in Canada. For this reason we ask you to join with your community, your Indigenous neighbour and with us, in hopeful prayer and action concerning this Gathering on January 24.

We've put together some resources that we invite you to use in a way that works for you and your community:

• Rev. Bruce Adema and Rev. John Kapetyn, the leaders of the CRC and RCA in Canada have written a joint letter to our church communities asking for prayer and action. They have also written to Prime Minister Harper and National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo to express expectation, hope and prayers for the meeting.
• Pastor Daniel Brown has prepared a 7-day devotional series called Living the Call to Reconciliation. This is an excellent tool for prayer and meditation on God's call to reconciliation with our Indigenous neighbours. (click here for an html version)
• We encourage you to contact your MP to express your hope, expectations and prayers for this summit. We've prepared some talking points and advocacy suggestions and a draft advocacy letter to assist you. (Note: remember to personalize your letter by explaining why this Gathering matters to you; a personal letter is always more meaningful than a form letter).
• For further learning and action we invite you to browse resources available from the Centre for Public Dialogue
  • read our recent Mobile Justice article on the connections between the housing crisis in Attawapiskat and the church's role in reconciliation,
  • learn about The Blanket Exercise and consider hosting a Blanket Exercise in your community;
  • follow the reForming Relationships art tour,
  • follow the proceedings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and consider attending TRC events in your area