Fifth Anniversary: Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action (June 2, 2020)

Reconciliation requires not only atoning for the past but also working to change present structures.

Step By Step

ACKNOWLEDGING TERRITORY READING WISDOM OF THE WAMPUM

February 18, 2021

Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice News from
The United Church of Canada May 2026

National Indigenous Day of Prayer 2026

[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]

Coming soon: new worship resources for National Indigenous Day of Prayer, Sunday, June 21, 2026. Worship resources from previous years remain available on this site.

Activities to mark June 21^st which is the federally designated National Indigenous Peoples Day take place across the country. The searchable national list from Canadian Heritage is one source of event information, alongside the many local and regional lists on line.

The goal of the day is to celebrate the rich culture and traditions of Indigenous peoples. If you are looking for resources to support educational efforts on Indigenous issues, have a look at the curated lists available from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Honouring Survivors of Residential Institutions at Six Nations

[Image credit: Ronda Parkes]

On April 23, 2026, Moderator Kimberly Heath, several United Church of Canada staff, and other participants visited the former site of the Mohawk Institute Residential School. Following a profoundly moving tour of the renovated property, the group attended a presentation at the nearby Woodland Cultural Centre located at the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation. Here they learned about the history of Six Nations land claims and the significance of wampum belt treaties. The visit was organized as one element of the church’s ongoing work on anti-racism, decolonization, and reconciliation. A feature story provides further details about the visit.

KAIROS members tour University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills

[Image credit: KAIROS]

In September 2026, KAIROS Prairies North Decolonization Group led 80 people to a day of teachings about Treaty, led by Indigenous knowledge keepers and Elders, at University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills (UnBQ). Participants saw how UnBQ, a former residential institution, has been physically transformed by its Indigenous leaders— with beautiful and colourful art work in the interior, and cultural grounds outside. Land based learning took place in an open meadow surrounded by an aspen forest and interspersed with tipis, ceremonial lodges, and flags honouring children who died at the institution. Being outside in this setting felt important spiritually, as it helped to connect the group to the land and to each other.

Through discussions over the course of the day, the group explored three guiding questions: “what was the relationship between Indigenous people and settlers supposed to be like?”, “what actually happened?”, and “where do we go from here?”. Treaty Land Sharing Network leaders also gave a presentation. All took part in ceremony and enjoyed a delicious lunch of soup and Bannock. The visit was supported in part by the Justice and Reconciliation Fund.

United Church Participates in 15^th Moose Hide Campaign Day

[Image credit: PJ Boyd]

The 15th Moose Hide Campaign Day was held across the country on May 14, 2026—deliberately close to Mother’s Day. The campaign draws attention to the need to address violence against women, girls, and members of the 2S and LGBTQIA+ community. United Church staff and members from Toronto and surrounding Regions took part in a number of meaningful and informative events. For the first time the primary national event, which originated in British Columbia, was held in Toronto.

Following a sunrise ceremony and sacred fire lighting at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, guests attended a moving and informative Opening Plenary and Fasting Workshop at the Royal Ontario Museum. At noon, the Moose Hide program moved to Queen’s Park, in front of the Ontario Legislature, for the Rally to End Violence. Hundreds gathered in person and more joined online through a national livestream to stand, to listen, and to come together towards the collective goal of ending gender-based violence.

Explore the Moose Hide Campaign website for videos of these events and others across the country along with resources to take action against violence.