Aboriginal Justice: Celebration

  • CRC Native Ministry Centres- ministries of all of us

The CRC in Canada has been ministering to the needs of urban Aboriginal people for almost 30 years, through first one, and then a second and third Aboriginal ministry centre in Winnipeg, Regina, and Edmonton respectively. We celebrate God's goodness in blessing these centres and we are thankful for the powerful impact they have in their communities. Learn more on the denominational website.

  • Excerpt from report on trip to Six Nations Reserve Brantford

On May 1st of 2002, the Woodstock and Area Reformed Churches Social Justice Committee hosted an Aboriginal culture and justice event. One of the outcomes of that event, led by two Aboriginal women, was an invitation to the CRC community to visit the Woodland Cultural Centre near Brantford Ontario. One of the participants writes of the group's experience,

"The Chief was most appreciative of our visit. She said that they received many delegations from different countries (e.g. Japan, China, Africa, Australia) who want to know more about their government and how to do Native justice issues, but seldom do the Canadians who live nearby show much interest."

  • When you live next door - Being neighbours to First Nations by Tom Bomhof

"I was at a Classis BCNW meeting in a session on social justice issues. One issue that really hit home for me was the First Nations referendum question here in B.C. We were asked how the churches should respond to the questions the government was asking us. What do First Nations think of all of this and how can the church be involved? I thought about that question and wondered how I could learn more about how the referendum will affect First Nations people. Since I lived almost next door to the Kwaykwitlum First Nation, I thought I should ask the Chief of this small reserve what he thought."

Read more about Tom Bomhof's encounter here.—from Shalom Seekers: Living the Call to do Justice

  • Learning from and sharing with Aboriginal people at Renaissance College—John Valk

"As Campus Minister and faculty member at Renaissance College, University of New Brunswick, I meet many dynamic people. Among the most impressive are First Nations' people. In my journey with them I have learned much about their pain and struggle, injustices committed against them by Europeans, their hopes and dreams, and their spirituality."

Read about some of the dynamic Aboriginal people John has formed relationship with as part of his Campus chaplaincy in New Brunswick.