Aboriginal Justice

The Aboriginal Rights Working Group of the Bloor/Spadina United Churches (Bathurst Street, Bloor Street and TSP) aims to:

• engage the three congregations in education, advocacy and solidarity in relation to Aboriginal justice and right relations
• respond to requests for solidarity from Aboriginal communities
• find opportunities to build relationships between congregational members and Aboriginal peoples

Past Activities

The history of the "Indian Residential Schools", including the part played by the United Church in running the schools, has been the focus of many educational events in recent years. These schools resulted in a painful legacy in many Aboriginal communities.

For a period of several years, members of Trinity-St. Paul's and two other United Churches participated in a Healing Circle group with Aboriginal representatives from the Toronto Urban Native Ministry and Council Fire, a native social services agency. A larger healing gathering in the fall of 2003 was a further step in a process of healing, learning and reconciliation. 

Another educational focus has been the history and current status of First Nations land rights. We participated in advocacy for the establishment of an independent Land Rights Tribunal. In May 2008 we joined in solidarity with First Nations from northwestern Ontario during the Gathering of Mother Earth Protectors at Queen's Park.This gathering was organized to demand that the province respect the rights of First Nations in land use decisions, and in particuar the need for consent when industrial development threatens the exercise of  traditional activities.

Upcoming event: Public Forum on the Right of Free, Prior and Informed Consent; Sunday, June 5, at noon.

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples points to a renewed relationship with Aboriginal peoples, a return to our original relationship as expressed in treaties.What does it mean to implement the right of free, prior and informed consent in the context of resource extraction on Aboriginal territories?

Speakers: Craig Benjamin works for Amnesty International Canada as the Campaaigner for Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Craig represented Amnesty International at the United nations in geneva during the final negotiations of the Declaration. John Olthuis is one of the founding partners at OKT law firm. In his Aboriginal rights practice, John represents First Nations across Canada in lititgation matters and in major negotiations.

The United Church of Canada is committed to seeking right relationships with Aboriginal Peoples and to supporting First Nations in their struggle for self-government and Aboriginal rights www.united-church.ca/aboriginal.

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, a church-based social justice movement supported by the United Church of Canada, has a focus on Aboriginal rights www.kairoscanada.org/e/aboriginal/index.asp.

On 16 May 2010, Dehcho Grand Chief Sam Gargan from Fort Providence, NWT spoke at TSP.  His address was entitled "United in Hope: 500 Nations." A recording of Chief Gargan's address is contained in the attachments below: