Archbishop's Message

I encourage parishes to consider marking National Indigenous Day of Prayer and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on the closest Sunday to June 21 and September 30.

One of the things that excites me about the Diocese of Kootenay is a will to live into our commitments to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and I pray you find creative ways to do this in your community.

- Archbishop Lynne McNaughton

What is the Truth & Reconciliation Commission?

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was established on June 1, 2008 to document the historical and continuing impacts of the Indian Residential School system in Canada. Providing residential school survivors with opportunities to share their experiences in gatherings across the country, the commission prioritized truth-telling.

The goal of this truth-telling initiative was to ensure that all Canadians were informed about the reality and impacts of what happened in residential schools. The TRC concluded its mandate in 2015, releasing its 94 Calls to Action. 

What are the 94 Calls to Action?

As part of its Summary Report at the conclusion of its mandate in 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released a list of 94 ways that Canada and all parties to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (including churches) could act to “redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation”.  These 94 ways are called the TRC Calls to Action.

“We must be mindful that a process that will be as long and complicated as the reconciliation of seven generations of inequity will require stewardship, study and ongoing attention.”

— TRC Commissioner Marie Wilson.

Anglicans and the Legacy of Colonialism

The Anglican Church of Canada, along with the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Roman Catholic Church, and the United Church of Canada were partners with the Government of Canada in running Indian Residential Schools. These schools, in policy and practice, were an assault on Indigenous families, culture, language and spiritual traditions. Great harm was done.

We continue to acknowledge and regret our part in that legacy, and to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 2015 Calls to Action in fostering new and just relations with Indigenous peoples.

The Anglican Church acknowledges the significant responsibilities arising from its role in residential schools, and the need for a continuing and active commitment to reconciliation. 

As a national body, the Anglican Church of Canada's leadership includes National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop Chris Harper, who with the Anglican Council of Indigenous People is working towards a self-determining Indigenous Anglican Church.

Through the Anglican Healing Fund, the Church continues to financially support local, community-led healing projects that encourage and initiate programs to help heal, educate, and recover Indigenous language and culture.

Joining with the National Church and dioceses throughout the country, the Anglican Diocese of Kootenay also prioritizes its participation in a continued journey of reconciliation, as marked in our diocese's core value of Right Relationship.

The Anglican Church of Canada's Apology for Residential Schools

by Archbishop Michael Peers (1993)

"I accept and I confess before you and God, our failures in the residential schools. We failed you. We failed ourselves. We failed God.”

What Can We Do?
  • Mark the National Indigenous Day of Prayer (June 21) and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) in your parish
  • Read the Truth & Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action
  • Adopt a Call to Action personally, with your congregation, youth group or a community group you are a part of
  • Contribute to the Anglican Healing Fund
  • Learn Seven Ways to Make a Difference from the First Nations Caring Society
  • Participate in the Blanket Exercise or Mapping the Ground We Stand On Exercise
  • Respond to invitations for solidarity or to participate in particular events when invited by local Indigenous groups
  • Show up for and support events organized by your Indigenous neighbours
  • Talk to others about the Calls to Action and challenge them to adopt one (or more!) as well.
  • Write your elected officials and encourage them to act on the Calls to Action 

Diocese of Kootenay Responds

Expanding the Cultural Safety Curriculum at UBCO

The Diocese of Kootenay gave its refund from the residential school settlement fund to support a cultural safety curriculum addressing barriers facing Indigenous people's access to health care.