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Ecumenical Statement of Church Leaders on Aboriginal Rights
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On March 19, 2003, Church leaders met with representatives of the Assembly of First Nations, and the Department of Indian Affairs, to discuss the proposed federal First Nations legislation that is currently before the House of Commons, including Bill C-7: the First Nations Governance Act. Following these discussions, the church leaders in attendance agreed to share this message with the churches. |
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These meetings represent only the latest
step in a decades long journey that has seen the churches stand
in solidarity with First Nations in their struggle to determine
their own future. The churches supported the entrenchment of Aboriginal
and treaty rights in the Constitution Act, 1982, and have advocated
a nation-to-nation approach to reconciling and defining those rights.
We believe the recognition and implementation of Aboriginal inherent
and treaty rights, including the right to self-determination, is
the key to healing the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
people in Canada.
We have serious concerns with the First Nations Governance Act.
We believe it threatens First Nations’ inherent and treaty
rights, and perpetuates a discriminatory federal policy, which the
1996 Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples concluded was responsible
for the social and economic problems currently facing First Nations.
We are also concerned that the legislation is being unilaterally
imposed on First Nations, without their consent.
As a result, in a reaffirmation of our solidarity with First Nations,
we are calling for:
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Today, we stand beside our Aboriginal brothers and sisters, and call on the federal government to abandon Bill C-7, and to embark instead on a process that recognizes and respects the rights of First Nations.
Signed by:
Archdeacon Jim Boyles
General Secretary
Anglican Church of Canada
Msgr. Jean-Louis Plouffe
Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
The Rev. Mark Lewis
Moderator of the 128th General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church in Canada
The Rev. Raymond Schultz
National Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
The Rev. Dr. Ismael Noko
General Secretary
Lutheran World Federation
Anne Squire
Former Moderator
The United Church of Canada
Don Peters
Executive Director
Mennonite Central Committee
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