Indigenous Justice

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 apologized for and 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.

The church has eight Indigenous ministries, and a National Indigenous Ministry Council. Learn more here.

*Please note that terms identifying Indigenous identity and peoples has changed over many years and that the terms used below reflect the time and context in which they were written.

Principles that General Assembly has endorsed relating to the Church’s relationship with Indigenous peoples

• The church repudiates concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius. (A&P 2019, pp. 35, 368-377)
• The church seeks to engage in relationships with Indigenous peoples that reflect the principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the basis for right relationships. (A&P 2019, pp. 35, 368-377)
• The church apologized for its complicity in colonization and role in running residentials schools, and made “five fundamental commitments:
  • We will continue to listen and learn from Indigenous people, leaders, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, welcoming and engaging voices from both within and beyond The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
  • We will continue the work of reconciliation, responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action and the work of reparation that we have begun.
  • We will respect traditional Indigenous spiritual practices.
  • We will listen to and tell the truth about the past.
  • We will work to support Indigenous led healing and wellness initiatives and be in solidarity with Indigenous people and communities” (A&P 2024, p. 223, 23)

Principles that General Assembly has endorsed relating to justice for Indigenous peoples

• The church acknowledges that the impacts of colonialism and the resulting systems of racism (including but not limited to the Indian Act, the Sixties scoop, residential schools, and breaches of human and Indigenous rights) that target Indigenous peoples for violence is race-based genocide, as named in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. (A&P 2021, pp. 412-418, 38)
• The church affirms that all doctrines, policies and practices based on or advocating for superiority of peoples or individuals on the basis of national origin or racial, religious, ethnic or cultural differences are racist, scientifically false, legally invalid, morally condemnable and socially unjust. (A&P 2019, pp. 35, 368-377)
• First Nations in Canada should have a constitutional guarantee to the right to self-government and to an adequate land and economic base arising from Aboriginal title, Aboriginal rights and treaty rights. (A&P 1991, pp. 289-292, 50-51)
• Resource development should not take place on unsurrendered land until either there is a claims agreement in place or until terms are negotiated satisfactorily with the Indigenous peoples concerned. (A&P 1991, pp. 289-292, 50-51)
• Recognized regional and national groupings of Native people have a special right to be heard by federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments and the various courts of the church. (A&P 1980, pp. 413, 90)
• Addressing inadequate housing in Indigenous communities is a fundamental pillar to initiatives that would address health and education. (A&P 2014, pp. 373-381, 13, 20)

Select actions of the church

2025: General Assembly adopted a recommendation that The Presbyterian Church in Canada extend its support and express solidarity for the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools and the 42 Sacred Obligations in the Interlocutor’s final report . (A&P 2025, pp. 265, 17) General Assembly also adopted a recommendation that as a matter of learning more fully the legacy of residential schools and colonization in which The Presbyterian Church in Canada participated and to better walk a path of reconciliation, congregations, presbyteries and other courts of the church are encouraged to study the findings of the Special Interlocutor and the 42 Obligations she issued. (A&P 2025, pp. 187, 27)

General Assembly adopted a recommendation encouraging that congregations and all courts of the church review the Apology and use the resources developed for the Apology. (A&P 2025, pp. 283, 30) General Assembly adopted recommendations that encouraged congregations and all courts of the church to consider and embrace the five commitments in the apology in their congregational life, or the work they are tasked to do, and develop ways to pursue actions demonstrating those commitments in the life of their respective bodies, and how they will live out the commitments. (A&P 2025, pp. 266, 17 & pp. 284, 30) General Assembly adopted a recommendation that the Assembly extend deep gratitude for the important work of translating the Apology in Indigenous languages to each translator. (A&P 2025, p. 30)

Responding to a motion from the 2024 General Assembly about increasing Indigenous voice and presence at the General Assembly, the 2025 General Assembly adopted a recommendation that the National Indigenous Ministries Council convener and one resource person chosen by the Council, if they are not commissioners, be granted permission to sit and correspond for the duration of each General Assembly. (A&P 2025, pp. 267, 17) The General Assembly also adopted a motion that Assembly Council include a representative from the National Indigenous Ministries Council as an ex-officio voting member, in consultation with the NIMC. (A&P 2025, pp. 92, 31)

General Assembly adopted several recommendations summarized below, in response to an overture regarding sustainable funding for Indigenous Ministries in the PCC:

• Through the Life and Mission Agency’s budget at least the same amount as granted in 2025 ($715,000), indexed to inflation, will be provided from the General Assembly’s operating budget for the next 10 years. (A&P 2025, pp. 253, 29)
• Assembly Council will transfer $2.5 million to the Indigenous Ministries Fund so Indigenous ministries have more funds in the immediate term. (A&P 2025, pp. 253, 29)
• The policy for amalgamated congregations was amended requiring that not less than 15% of net proceeds from the sale of buildings/land of amalgamated congregations is directed to the Indigenous Ministries Fund. (A&P 2025, pp. 253, 29)

General Assembly adopted a recommendation to contribute $500,000 to a collaborative legacy response of the Anglican, United and Presbyterian Churches towards the construction of a new permanent home for the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation. (A&P 2025, pp. 93, 34)

2024: General Assembly adopted an apology to Indigenous people and communities harmed by The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s complicity in colonization and the residential school system. The report accompanying the apology, which was adopted as a whole, outlined why an apology is needed and what is different about the 2024 Apology from the church’s 1994 Confession regarding residential schools. (A&P 2024, pp. 224, 23)

General Assembly also adopted several other recommendations related to the apology:

• The apology will be translated into at least the following languages: Dakota, Ojibwe, Saulteaux, Plains Cree, nuučaan̓uł (Southern Wakishan), Central Nuu-chahnulth, Mi’kmaq, Korean and French. (A&P 2024, pp. 224, 23)
• All courts of the church were encouraged to study the apology, deepen their understanding of the need for reconciliation and decolonization and seek out resources to continue learning how best to live out the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, especially those aimed at churches, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and the church’s repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery. (A&P 2024, pp. 224, 23)
• The Special Committee that prepared the apology will develop additional guidance for the denomination toward the life-giving need for reconciliation, including how best to animate the apology, and report back to the General Assembly in 2025. (A&P 2024, pp. 224, 23)

General Assembly also adopted three recommendations which, taken together, recognize the Sandy-Salteaux Spiritual Centre as an institution which would prepare presbytery-certified Indigenous ministry candidates without an undergraduate degree for ordination as ministers of Word and Sacraments in The Presbyterian Church in Canada (A&P 2024, pp. 137, 22), including information about specific education requirements (A&P 2024, pp. 137, 22) and recognition of the Centre’s testamur as an “equivalent certificate” to the PCC’s theological colleges for certification for ordination of Indigenous ministry candidates (Book of Forms 206.2). (A&P 2024, pp. 138, 22)

General Assembly adopted a recommendation urging grants committees in all church courts to take into account and reflect upon The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s commitments to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the church’s repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery in their grant deliberations, as well as their review of current grant criteria and applications. (A&P 2024, pp. 189, 23)

General Assembly adopted a recommendation that presbyteries be encouraged to consider commissioning an Indigenous person from presbytery to attend the General Assembly as a commissioner every year (A&P 2024, pp. 189, 23) and that the National Indigenous Ministries Council, in consultation with the Life and Mission Agency, the Clerks of Assembly, and others as needed, develop a model for the participation and consultation of Indigenous Representatives at all meetings of the General Assembly and present this model at the 2025 Assembly. (A&P 2024, 25)

2023: General Assembly adopted a recommendation from the National Indigenous Ministries Council (NIMC) that the church develop a renewed apology for its role in colonization and in the operation of residential schools, to be presented to the 2024 General Assembly. The NIMC, Life and Mission Agency and Assembly Council will each name two to three people to form the writing team. (A&P 2023, pp. 29, 219–222)

General Assembly encouraged individuals, sessions and presbyteries to continue learning about the harmful legacy of residential schools through resources available on the Social Action Hub. (A&P, pp. 24, 175-6)

The church affirms the vital importance of returning Indigenous spiritual and cultural artefacts that were taken without permission to the community from where they were taken. (A&P 2023, pp. 24, 151-2) General Assembly affirmed its support for the return of the Manitou/Iniskim Stone (a meteorite that fell near what is now called Hardisty, Alberta – a stolen artifact that holds sacred meaning to the Blackfoot and Cree) and contributed $1,000 in support of efforts to return the Stone. (A&P 2023, pp. 24, 151-2)

Acknowledging the church’s responsibility to follow the principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, General Assembly adopted a recommendation that, as a matter of urgency, congregations, ministries, colleges, camps, presbyteries, the national office, archives and the Presbyterian Church Heritage Centre examine their holdings to ensure they have no Indigenous cultural or spiritual artefacts taken without informed consent and if they do, that they are repatriated (returned). (A&P 2023, p.28, 219–222)

2022: General Assembly considered a report recognizing “the needs, experience and leadership of Indigenous people must be at the heart of the church’s repentance and efforts of reconciliation.” The church advocated the Government of Canada, and encouraged Sessions and presbyteries to do the same, for action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action No. 21, urging for sustainable funding for existing and new Indigenous-led healing centres to address the harms of Residential Schools and colonization. Sessions, presbyteries and committees of General Assembly were encouraged to learn more about colonization and the impacts of intergenerational trauma. (A&P 2022, 180-13, 23)

2021: The Presbyterian Church in Canada issued a statement responding to the devastating news of hundreds of unmarked graves and the remains of children on or around the grounds of former residential schools. General Assembly accepted the findings of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which outlines the ways systemic racism targets Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA (Two-Spirited, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual) people for violence and made 231 recommendations, called Calls for Justice, to address the root causes of the crisis of violence against Indigenous women and girls, why it has been allowed to continue and steps needed to end the violence. General Assembly also adopted a recommendation that the moderator inquire with the Government of Canada about its plans for responding to the Calls for Justice.
Congregations, presbyteries and synods are encouraged:

• to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples (such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius);
• study the effects of colonialism and how to decolonize
• to study the PCC’ “Statement Regarding Violence and Encounters Between Indigenous People and Policing Agencies”
• to respond to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice aimed all Canadians (Calls 151-.15.8) and those Calls aimed at occupations and industries in which they are employed.

Presbyteries were encouraged to create groups that explore and plan opportunities for relationship building between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. (A&P 2021, pp. 412-418, 38)
General Assembly adopted a recommendation asking the PCC’s Trustee Board to invest 5% of its Consolidated Portfolio in the Indigenous economy and enterprises. (A&P 2021, pp. 412-418, 38)
The Moderator wrote to the Government of Canada, provinces, territories and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities inquiring about their progress on Call to Action No. 57, which recommended that public servants be educated about the history of Indigenous peoples, including the impacts of Indian residentials schools.

General Assembly endorsed a Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth. The statement reads, in part “Physical punishment has been consistently demonstrated to be an ineffective and potentially harmful method of managing children’s behaviour. It places them at risk of physical injury and interferes with parents’ and caregivers’ goals of healthy psychological adjustment, socialization, moral internalization, non-violence, and positive adult-child relationships. Its use is a violation of children’s rights to physical integrity and dignity.” (A&P 2021, pp. 532-543, 38)

General Assembly adopted a series of recommendations that the Joint Statement:

• be circulated to congregations, worshiping communities, social ministries, camps, presbyteries, synods and colleges and that these bodies take steps to increase awareness in their communities about the impact of violence, including physical punishment, in homes, families, institutions and communities and to encourage healthy, effective and non-violent approaches to discipline in raising children and youth
• in line with TRC Call to Action No. 6 that the moderator write to the federal government advocating the full protection of children, including the repeal of Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada, and that individuals and courts of the church be encourage to do the same. (A&P 2021, p. 38)

2020: In consultation with the National Indigenous Ministries Council of the PCC, the Moderator issued a statement addressing anti-Indigenous racism and policing agencies, condemning and calling for an end to race-based violence against Indigenous peoples and suggesting ways Presbyterians can center Indigenous peoples and their experiences in order to fight systemic racism. Click here to read the statement.

2019: General Assembly repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery. Presbyterians and church courts were encouraged to study the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius in order to understand the contemporary ramifications of concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples in Canada, including how this is reflected in The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s mission and ministry with Indigenous people. (A&P 2019, pp. 35, 368-377)

General Assembly referred “Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls” to the Life and Mission Agency and the National Indigenous Ministries Council for study and report with recommendations to the next General Assembly regarding actions that The Presbyterian Church in Canada can take. (A&P 2019, pp.35-36)

General Assembly adopted a recommendation that encourages congregations and presbyteries to learn more about Canadian Indigenous spiritualities. (A&P 2019, pp. 16, 269)

2017: The moderator wrote to the federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to inquire about the Government of Canada’s plans to provide clean and potable water in Indigenous communities that remain under boil water advisories. (A&P 2017, 27, 369-70)
The moderator wrote to the Prime Minister of Canada urging the Government of Canada to comply with the Order of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (January 26, 2016 decision involving First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, et. al.) pertaining to the elimination of discrimination against First Nations children regarding funding for social services and education for children on First Nations reserves. (A&P 2017, p. 47)

General Assembly recommended that individuals, congregations and presbyteries be encouraged to give to the Native Ministries Fund and passed a recommendation that 10% of monies realized from assets of dissolved congregations within The Presbyterian Church in Canada be invested in the Native Ministries Fund to a maximum of $400,000 (The formula for proceeds of assets of dissolved congregations became 50% for pension solvency (to a maximum of $2,000,000), 10% for the Native Ministry Fund (to a maximum of $400,000) and 40% for presbytery for approved mission work.) (A&P 2017, 17, 217-9)

2016: General Assembly recommended that congregations and presbyteries study the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and consider ways to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action in their communities. Courts of the church were encouraged to acknowledge the traditional territory on which they meet and worship. Reconciliation was prioritized in the church’s national strategic plan. (A&P 2016, pp. 379-381, 20)

2015: The moderator wrote to the companies in which the Presbyterian Church in Canada holds investments inquiring if they have operations in Canada or other countries that impact Indigenous communities, whether they have a policy on free, prior and informed consent and what benefits or challenges they identify with regard to supporting, or not supporting free, prior and informed consent. (A&P 2015, pp. 388-389, 18)

2014: Presbyterians were encouraged to attend commemorative events hosted by Indigenous groups to honour those who attended residential schools. General Assembly passed a recommendation that the First Nation on whose traditional territory General Assembly meets be named during the first sederunt by the moderator and included in the Committee on Courtesies and Loyal Addresses’ report. (A&P 2014, pp. 372-373, 13)

2013: General Assembly adopted a statement on Aboriginal spirituality. The statement includes reflections on Aboriginal spiritual traditions, North American experiences in Aboriginal spirituality including ceremonies and the use of smudging and drumming. The response identifies theological themes that inform choices regarding worship practices. The report emphasizes the need for humility, recognition and celebration of the different gifts and wisdom that inform worship practices that all praise and glorify God. Presbyteries have the responsibility to ensure that matters related to worship within their bounds are rightly and properly conducted. (A&P 2013, pp. 508-18, 13)

2011: General Assembly recommended that church courts discuss and take part in the “It Matters to Me” campaign in support of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (A&P 2011, pp. 369-70, 31)

2010: Presbyteries and sessions were encouraged to discuss opportunities for building contacts with Indigenous people in their communities. (A&P 2010, p. 430-6, 36)

2009: Presbyterians were encouraged to follow the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and participate in TRC events. (A&P 2009, p. 338)

2007: A staffed position to animate the Healing and Reconciliation program began September 2006. An advisory committee and criteria for project proposals for seed funding of healing and reconciliation initiatives were set up. The church commemorated the 20th anniversary of “A New Covenant: towards the Constitutional Recognition and Protection of Aboriginal Self-Government in Canada” by reaffirming its commitment to the 1987 pastoral statement . (A&P 2007, pp. 323-325)

2006: General Assembly adopted a report with criteria that would establish the Healing and Reconciliation program. (A&P 2006, pp. 212-5, 35) General Assembly designating the Sunday preceding May 26 as Healing and Reconciliation Sunday. (A&P 2006, p. 215, 18) General Assembly agreed that funds remaining from those set aside in 2003 for Healing and Reconciliation should give priority to support and/or funding for local initiatives and that funds designated for, but not ultimately used under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, be directed to various healing and reconciliation initiatives within the church. (A&P 2006, p. 19, 35)

2005: General Assembly affirmed that funding for Native Ministry of the church is a high priority and encouraged the Assembly Council, the Life and Mission Agency and Canada Ministries to review the financial support provided by Presbyterians Sharing and to increase this support in light of our commitment to healing and reconciliation. (A&P 2005, p. 39)

2004: General Assembly affirmed that the Sunday before June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day, be designated as National Indigenous Peoples Day Sunday within congregations. (A&P 2004, pp. 213, 19)

1996: Initial steps were taken to set up a healing fund to distribute to First Nations engaged in healing processes related to residential schools. It was agreed with other churches that the Aboriginal Rights Coalition would take the lead on educational activity to assist church members in understanding the issues facing First Nations and in keeping before the government and the churches their responsibilities concerning residential schools. (A&P 1996, pp. 309-310, 214-215)

1994: General Assembly adopted “Our Confession to Aboriginal Peoples ” and mandated the Life and Mission Agency to explore ways to bring the Confession to Aboriginal peoples, to provide study materials for use in the church to enable church courts to better understand the issues leading to this Confession, and encourage congregations to enter into the process of reconciliation. Assembly Council was mandated to “commit resources to a concerted engagement in the healing/reconciliation processes presently in progress.” (A&P 1994, pp. 365-377, 29, 69, 71)

The Confession was presented to Phil Fontaine, then Grand Chief of the Manitoba Chiefs on October 8, 1994 in Winnipeg.

1992: A draft of a Confession to Aboriginal Peoples was presented to the General Assembly but referred back to Board of World Mission. Read more about the history of the Confession here .

1991: The Presbyterian Church in Canada joined the Aboriginal Rights Coalition (ARC, formerly Project North, now part of KAIROS). General Assembly requested that church courts set up information sessions to listen to Native leaders in their region. Following the OKA Crisis, federal and provincial governments were requested to place a high priority on developing a comprehensive process for a just settlement of outstanding Native land claims and governance issues, and establish an Aboriginal Rights Commission. General Assembly urged that resource development should not take place on unsurrendered land without settling land claims or negotiating acceptable terms. The Government of Canada was requested to resume constitutional talks including representatives of First Nations as full participants and to include on the agenda of the next First Ministers’ Conference a commitment to entrench Aboriginal rights—specifically: 1) the enforceable right of Aboriginal peoples to self-government, 2) an adequate land and economic base arising from Aboriginal title, Aboriginal rights and treaty rights; and 3) the requirement of consultation with Aboriginal peoples on all future constitutional amendments affecting such rights—in the Canadian constitution. (A&P 1991, pp. 289-292, 50-1)

1990: The Board of World Mission informed General Assembly of the establishment of a National Committee of Native Peoples (now called the National Indigenous Ministries Council) charged with the responsibility of “keeping the needs and agendas of the Native peoples before the church.” (A&P 1990, p. 555, 38)

1987: General Assembly, in a message to the federal and provincial governments on the proposed Meech Lake Accord, noted its concern that “such issues as Aboriginal rights and development prospects of the Yukon and the Northwest Territories had not been specifically addressed.” (A&P 1987, p. 55).

1980: General Assembly granted the request of the Board of World Mission that appointments to Native ministry be on the same basis as appointments overseas with equivalent terms, orientation, language study, adequate work funds and furlough with accompanying benefits. It also mandated the Board of World Mission to inform members of the church of the concerns of Native people. A motion to teach Native spirituality to candidates for ministry was referred to the colleges.” (A&P 1980, pp. 413, 90)

1978: General Assembly adopted a statement on northern development calling on the Government of Canada to assure “an orderly, carefully studied and controlled process” when assurances could be given that “it will not present serious hazards and threats to the delicate northern environment” and only with the full involvement of Native peoples including the recognition of their legitimate rights and claims. (A&P 1978, pp. 402, 34)

1976: General Assembly approved a statement and recommendations to be sent to the Berger commission (an inquiry into northern development that affected Native people) (A&P 1976, pp. 50-51), mandated the production of a study paper on the culture, values and spirituality of Native peoples, and asked the Committee on Church Worship to study Christian Native worship. (A&P 1976, p. 78)

1975: General Assembly mandated giving priority to Native ministries and issues for five years as part of The PCC Centennial celebrations and adopted recommendations that a first step in this process should be to sensitize non-Native people to the concerns of Native people, and that Native congregations be encouraged “to explore ways of Christian worship and ministry that are meaningful to them.” (A&P 1975, pp. 206-207, 65)

1970: General Assembly recommended that congregations familiarize themselves with the Government of Canada’s Statement on Indian Policy (commonly called the 1969 white paper), and with the “red paper” (a response written by the Indian Association of Alberta). It called on Presbyterians to familiarize themselves with Indian culture, history and contributions to Canadian life, asked the General Board of Missions (now the LMA?) to evaluate its work and recommend improvements in its approach to work with Canadian Indians and encouraged congregations to use resources and engage in conversations with Aboriginal peoples, as well as for an Aboriginal leader to be invited to attend the next General Assembly. General Assembly also approved a motion that drew attention to the strong dissatisfaction in Native communities with the white paper and called on the Government of Canada to make arrangements for further consultation. (A&P 1970, pp. 309-310, 313-314, 40, 56, 102-103)

1969: General Assembly noted the increasing frustration of Native people, their lack of a right to vote, or to control their own financial affairs, and their difficulty in getting a hearing for their just demands, and informed the GOC of its support for the “just demands of the Indians of Canada for full participation in the affairs that concern them, and their desires for self-realization within the social and economic structures of Canadian life.” (A&P 1969, pp. 311-312, 322, 37)
1966: General Assembly recommended that all levels of the church “do all within their power to insure that Canada’s Indians are treated without discrimination and urge the appropriate levels of government to take immediate steps to insure that their housing and their education and employment opportunities more closely approximate the conditions obtaining for the people of Canada as a whole.” (A&P 1966, pp. 281, 289, 92)