The Church’s relationship with Indigenous peoples in Canada has been marked by colonization and the racist beliefs that underscored colonization (namely, the superiority of a Christianized, western European worldview). The Church has confessed its role in running residential schools, its complicity in the harms of colonization, and rejected the Doctrine of Discovery. The church is committed to walking toward reconciliation. This includes advocating that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is the framework for reconciliation, responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and engaging with the findings of the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice . In 2006, General Assembly established the Healing and Reconciliation program to assist individuals and congregations that are building relationships based on justice, love of neighbour, and mutual respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Healing & Reconciliation Seed Fund

The Healing and Reconciliation Seed Fund offers grants up to $5,000 for Presbyterian groups that are committed to building relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Since this fund was created in 2006, it has supported a variety of reconciliation initiatives across Canada.

Click here to learn more about the Seed Fund and the application process.

For more information and resources visit the Social Action Hub’s – Indigenous Justice page.