HONOURING THE DECLARATION provides academic resources to help The United Church of Canada and other Canadian denominations enact their commitment to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and offers a framework for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Featuring essays from scholars working from a range of disciplines, including religious studies, Indigenous legal studies, Christian theology and ethics, Biblical studies, Indigenous educational leadership within the United Church, and social activism, the collection includes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices, all of whom respond meaningfully to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. The texts explore some of the challenges that accepting the UN Declaration as a framework poses to the United Church and other Canadian denominations, and provides academic reflection on how these challenges can be met. These reflections include concrete proposals for steps that Canadian denominations and their seminaries need to take in light of their commitment to the Declaration, a study of a past attempt of the United Church to be in solidarity with Indigenous peoples, and discussions of ethical concepts and theological doctrines that can empower and guide the church in living out this commitment.
Don Schweitzer is the McDougald Professor of Theology at St. Andrew's College and editor of The United Church of Canada: A History (WLU Press). Paul L. Gareau is Metis and French-Canadian from Bellevue near Batoche, Saskatchewan. He is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta.
Acronyms Foreword Don Schweitzer and Paul L. Gareau Introduction Sandra Beardsall, Sa'ke'j Henderson, and Don Schweitzer Chapter 1: The Indigenous Imperative: The Role of Seminariesin the Realization of Reconciliation and Indigenizing Sa'ke'j Henderson Chapter 2: What to Do with All These Canaanites?A Settler-Canadian Reading of Biblical Conquest Stories Christine Mitchell Chapter 3: Restructured Feelings: Pitfalls of Settler-Christian Turns to Education Lynn Caldwell Chapter 4: The Declaration and the Indigenous Ministriesof the United Church of Canada Adrian Jacobs, Keeper of the Circle, Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre Chapter 5: "Not Alone in This Struggle for Justice":Project North and the United Church of Canada, 1975-87 Sandra Beardsall Chapter 6: Storied Places and Sacred Relations:Metis Density, Lifeways, and Indigenous Rights in the Declaration Paul L. Gareau Chapter 7: The Power and Practise of Indigenous Christian Rituals and Ceremonies HyeRan Kim-Cragg Chapter 8: Justification by Grace as a Spiritual Resource:Non-Indigenous Christians Adopting the Declaration as the Frameworkfor Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada Don Schweitzer Chapter 9: The Declaration and the Common Good Jennifer Janzen-Ball Chapter 10: Working from the Heart:Considering Reconciliation/M?nwastam?towin through the Lensesof Miyo-W?hk?towin, Miyo-Pim?tisiwin, and Gender Iskwewuk E-wichiwitochik/Women Walking Together Afterword Sa'ke'j Henderson and Don Schweitzer Appendix A An Ecumenical Statement on the United Nations Declarationon the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Responding to the Truthand Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action Appendix B Statement on un Declaration on the Rights of IndigenousPeoples as the Framework for Reconciliation Index
"[A] truly pioneering work among the schools of theology in Canada." Michel Andraos , Dean of Theology, Universite Saint-Paul and editor of The Church and Indigenous Peoples in the Americas "An excellent source for Christians and others seeking an understanding of UNDRIP and guidance in reconciliation." Mark Ruml , Professor, Religion & Culture Department, Indigenous Spirituality, Culture, & History, Chair, Indigenous Course Requirement Committee, University of Winnipeg " Honouring the Declaration is an invaluable resource as all peoples in Canada work towards greater harmony by implementing the UNDRIP." Rev. Dr. Raymond C. Aldred , Director, Indigenous Studies Program, Vancouver School of Theology "Bringing together Indigenous and settler scholars and theologians to assess the significance of UNDRIP, this impressive volume represents a major contribution to the shared goal of reconciliation." Jane Barter, Professor, Department of Religion and Culture, University of Winnipeg, and author of Thinking Christ: Christology and Contemporary Critics
