First Nation Social Justice Learning Page
Leaside United Church is on a journey to better understand what role it can play in the reconciliation process. We started this journey several years ago. The background below summarizes our earlier efforts to understand the environment that First Nations, Metis and Inuit people face in this country.
Background
On January 22, 2012 LUC hosted the Honourable David MacDonald the United Church’s Special Advisor to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Federal Government). The idea behind inviting Mr. MacDonald’s to LUC was initiated in 2011 by members of the Outreach Committee and specifically by members of the former “Earthworms Committee” who wished to see LUC more engaged on First Nation issues. January 22nd was a special day as Mr. MacDonald gave a Sermon during Sunday Service and also lead a “Justice Café” afterwards for a large gathering of about 50 LUC members.
We continued our First Nation Social Justice education in late April as LUC hosted Ontario’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kathleen Wynne. Minister Wynne led a discussion about her involvement and her Government’s direction on the Aboriginal File. In the fall of 2012, LUC hosted Rev. Charles Kato, the founder of Frontier Foundation. Mr. Kato delivered a Sunday morning sermon and then a slide show presentation at a Justice Café. Frontier Foundation helps Natives in Canada and around the world with desperately needed housing.
The Outreach Committee will continue to explore this issue and commits to hosting other educational opportunities for our community in 2013.
Recent Activities
Reverend MacDonald spoke again to the LUC congregation on April 26, 2015 to provide insight into the coming recommendations of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. David also met with the Outreach Committee to discuss options for action on May 24. We continue to consider our options for taking an active role in the reconciliation process. To help us all better understand what happened in the Residential Schools and the impact it had on generations of First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples, we have included some important reference material below as documents and links to other resources. Please check back for new resources and updates on our planned actions to be part of the reconciliation process.
Premier Wynn’s Statement on the Recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission:
http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/en/news/33031
Official Website of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation
http://www.newcreditfirstnation.com
Suggest you watch the Sacred Trust video on the history of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation.