Believing reconciliation to be a spiritual practice, Melanie Delva, the Anglican Church of Canada’s Reconciliation Animator, invited members of synod to engage deeply with the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
The TRC Calls to Action, released in 2015 at the end of the Commission’s mandate, included calls to churches, all settlement parties, the Canadian government and various sectors of society, covering everything from education, to sports, to business and media.
These Calls to Action were based on the pursuit of equality and reconciliation, as well as on the spirit of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Melanie suggested parishes adopt a Call to Action to work on together by finding out on whose traditional territory you work, worship and live, as well as taking part in acts of solidarity with Indigenous peoples.
Reading Indigenous authors, attending local Indigenous cultural events and talking to others about Indigenous justice and how the church is involved can also be effective in achieving reconciliation, she reiterated.
Do not forget to pray, she reminded the church members at Niagara Synod.
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