The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples

The General Synod 2001 agreed to commit itself to walking in partnership with Indigenous Anglicans in Canada and to commend the Working document – Plan of Anglican Work in support of a New Partnership Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Anglicans – A New Agape to dioceses for their study, reflection and action.

A New Agape’s Goal One: Self-determination:

Strategies 1. A self-determining Indigenous Anglican Community

• Move forward with consultations and discussions/ workshops and resources to implement the Covenant and establish a self-determining Anglican Indigenous Community.
• Move forward with consultations, discussions and resources the Act of General Synod 1995 as stated, “support and encourage the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples asit works at redefining the role of Indigenous Anglicans in the Church, and specifically encourages the exploration of: a) the establishment of the office of a national Indigenous Bishop who will work in partnership with the national church and dioceses; b) the development of Indigenous forms of church government and decision making; c) ways for the Indigenous congregations to move toward self-sufficiency.”
• Work to change Anglican canons and constitution, as appropriate.

Strategies 2. Church Leadership Training Institutes and Programs

• Increase the funding for existing Anglican institutions/programs offering training to Indigenous peoples in the areas of theological education, pastoral and therapeutic counseling, and spiritual exploration. To support a number of existing institutions and programs.

Strategies 3. Indigenous Leadership Training Bursaries

• Increase the funding for bursaries to enable students to pursue appropriate training for leadership in healing work.
• This will include some funding of individual counseling as requested by leaders who are former students of residential schools, where such funding is not already available from Medical Services Branch (short-term).

The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples on October 11, 2003 following the Leadership Conference held from the 7 th to the 12 th in Winnipeg affirmed the creation of the Indigenous Covenant Implementation Commission (ICIC) and appointed eight Commissioners, seven Indigenous people from the four Ecclesiastical Provinces plus the Primate’s liaison. They are: The Rev. Mervin Wolfleg, Calgary, Chairperson; Willard Martin, Caledonia; Yolanda Bird, Sask; Verna Firth, Arctic; The Rev. & Chief Ron Evans, Keewatin; Nina Burnham, Huron; Jimmy James Einish, Quebec; and Justice Brian Burrows, Primate’s Liaison.

In November 2003 the Commission began its work and research to respond to Goal One: Strategies 1 of A New Agape. It is our goal to present a final report and model to the General Synod in 2007. The first opportunity to present draft models proposed for discussion to Indigenous church members will be at the Sacred Circle in Manitoba in August 2005.

During the past triennium Faith, Worship and Ministry committee and the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples in the spirit of Covenant partnership, have been working together in the compilation of worship resources. Worship in the Vision of A New Agape – is a collection of worship resources for healing and reconciliation that Faith, Worship and Ministry committee was asked by General Synod 2001 to provide. Please see FWMs report for further information.

We commend this resource to be used by the Church.

Our Indigenous Council joined with EcoJustice Committee and other Standing Committees/ Councils/Boards of the Anglican Church and formed an Anti-RacismWorking Group to make recommendations to the Council of General Synod regarding strategies for carrying forward the Anglican Church’s work on anti-racism. ACIP received the Anti-Racism Charter and supports the continuation of the Anti-Racism work in our national church.

During the past triennium the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples and the national House of Bishops began work together in the spirit of A New Agape and formed a Joint Task Force onNon-Stipendiary Ministry in The Anglican Church of Canada. ACIP agrees with the principles of justice for First Nations, Inuit and Metis ministry and that our church needs a justly-compensated aboriginal ministry. We continue to review the priestly ministry’s qualities, knowledge and skills required for the ministry in Indigenous communities. We continue in our discussions and with the common ground issues and are in agreement that the whole church cannot continue in the injustice for Indigenous communities and those who serve them.

The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples welcomed ‘Partners’ on the Council from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Diocese of New Westminster Native Ministry.

The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples has continued in the General Synod’s priorities of the last triennium in strengthening our mission and partnerships outside Canada. We continue to work with:

• ECUSA Native Ministries and send participants to their Winter Talk training gatherings every January in Oklahoma and where,
• the Indigenous Theological Training Institute coordinates several ten-hour educational courses for continuing education. We have one person from our Indigenous Ministries serving as a Member on the ITTI Board of Directors,
• the Anglican Indigenous Network that gathered in Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2003 and are planning for the next AIN in California in April 2005. We will continue to work on common issues and priorities for clergy, women, youth, elders and theological education.
• AIN’s planning and development of programs for Elders, and dialogue and program with youth in preparation for the gathering, is being planned for the fall 2004.

The Co-chairs or their designates of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples have continued as Partners on the Council of General Synod; and to the Council of the North.

Summaries of the Healing Fund projects funded and the work of Indigenous Justice done the past triennium follows.

Summary of 2001 Projects Funded – Indigenous Healing Fund

Details of the Indigenous Healing Fund for 2001: 31 projects funded totaling at $337,594.00
Donations made up the differences in each category. ($26,663.94)

Summary of 2002 Projects Funded – Indigenous Healing Fund

Details of the Indigenous Healing Fund for 2002: 39 projects funded totaling at $373,243.00
Donations made up the differences in each category.

Summary of 2003 Projects Funded – Indigenous Healing Fund

April 2003: 19 projects funded at $168,883.00
November 2003: 19 projects funded at $178,130.00
Donations received up to November 2003 - $26,795.32
Total number of projects for 2003: 38 projects at $347,013.00

An outline of the projects funded from 1992-2003:

Brief Summary by category of projects funded:

Indigenous Justice Report to General Synod

The Indigenous Justice Joint Working Group (IJWG) was established early in the triennium. IJWG is a joint working group of members appointed by the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples (ACIP) and the EcoJustice Committee that serves as a consultative body on Aboriginal rights issues. Members met face-to-face and once in conjunction with ACIP and once with the EcoJustice Committee. IJWG identified 3 central priorities for action: 1) First Nations Governance Act and related legislation; 2) Water/Aboriginal Fishing Rights; and 2) Anti-Racism. Over the course of the triennium, IJWG developed terms of reference, guiding principles, ways of working, and a plan for communicating more effectively with local FN/Aboriginal communities and parishes.

Bills C7 (First Nations Governance Act), C6 & C19

In September 2001, the Primate sent a letter to Prime Minister Chrétien and federal ministers regarding the proposed First Nations Governance Act, as per General Synod Resolution A120. In 2002, public education materials were developed and mailed to dioceses and a binder of background information regarding the suite of legislation was compiled. In May 2002, ACIP issued a message of support to the Assembly of First Nations Chiefs gathering in Ottawa. In August, ACIP reported to the House of Bishops regarding the FNGA.

In 2003, IJ staff, under the direction of IJWG and ACIP chairs, assisted in public education and political actions by providing bishops and dioceses with information updates. Recommendations emphasized parish advocacy work, including writing to Members of Parliament and participating in hearings of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs. General Synod staff and some Anglican priests or their representatives appeared before the Standing Committee.

In May 2003, IJ staff supported the First Nations cross-country caravan and other public demonstrations, joining hundreds of supporters on Parliament Hill and in Kenora, Ontario. IJ staff also monitored Standing Committee hearings and attended Assembly of First Nations meetings to remain consistent with their Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaties position. As of January 2004, Bills C-7 and C-19 (Fiscal Institutions Act) died on the Order paper. Bill C-6 (Canadian Centre for the Independent Resolution of First Nations Specific Claims) passed into law. First Nations are awaiting policy decisions from the new Liberal government.

New Agape Binder

In November 2001, the Council of General Synod affirmed the Binder Project and designated the Mission Coordination Group as responsible for its coordination. In 2002, Indigenous Justice staff, in conjunction with Partnerships staff, produced the New Agape Binder, which contains stories, worship resources, resource lists, and background information to support parishes and dioceses in their work of building right relationships with Indigenous people. In January 2003, binders were distributed to diocesan offices, Indigenous parishes, standing committees, and justice networks. During the period of production and distribution, staff members also made presentations and conducted workshops at various diocesan synods and events.

Stories of New Agape events and struggles continue to be collected. An update of the New Agape binder is tentatively scheduled for distribution in Spring 2005.

National Forum on Indigenous Water Rights. In 2003, the Working Group initiated a coalition of churches, Aboriginal communities and organizations, churches, and civil society groups to organize a national forum highlighting Indigenous rights related to water. Our Waters, Our Responsibility: Indigenous Water Rights will take place on May 13-15, 2004 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 75 Aboriginal leaders and activists from civil society, environmental, and church organizations will be invited to attend, with the goals of developing stronger networks and developing regional, national, and international strategies to address Indigenous water rights issues.

Sisters in Spirit Campaign. In March 2004, the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) will launch the Sisters in Spirit Campaign, a campaign to raise public awareness of the disappearances and murders of 500 Aboriginal women in Canada and to call for the establishment of a $10 million federal fund.

The Working Group partnered with NWAC and the United Church of Canada (UCC) to develop the Sisters in Spirit poster. IJ staff also produced an insert of liturgical resources. Posters and inserts were distributed to Anglican parishes and dioceses through the January 2004 Ministry Mailer. IJ staff members are working with NWAW and UCC to organize launch events and to circulate posters to church partners, Aboriginal organizations, and women’s and justice networks across the country.

Indian Act Educational Materials . IJWG is developing an educational resource to raise awareness of the history of the Indian Act and its implications for Aboriginal peoples. These materials will support current and future campaigns related to federal efforts to amend the Indian Act. In September 2003, IJWG held an initial consultation with an educator and an expert on federal Aboriginal policy to identify a focus and format for the materials. Further consultations, research, and pilots of draft materials will be conducted in 2004. Materials will be completed and distributed to Anglican parishes, church partners, and solidarity networks in early 2005.

Kairos-Aboriginal Rights Committee. ACIP nominated and ACC affirmed Larry Beardy as the Anglican representative on Kairos-ARC for the past triennium. To ensure full communication, the Kairos-ARC representative also served as a liaison with IJWG. IJ staff attended meetings of Kairos-ARC.

Over the triennium, IJWG members and staff worked closely with Kairos-ARC staff and members regarding FNGA-related urgent action campaigns, FNGA workshops, Caravan to Ottawa activities, Sisters in Spirit poster distribution, and plans for the Indigenous water rights forum.

Project Support. During the past triennium, the Indigenous Justice Working Group approved grants in support of the following projects:

• B.C. Referendum on Treaty Rights , Diocese of New Westminster – travel subsidy to include representatives from other B.C. dioceses ($3000)
• Production of Sacred Circle video (Gathering at the River), Diocese of Rupert’s Land ($10,000)
• Production of Skwelkwek’welt ( Sun Peaks) video, Neskonlith Indian Band ($8,000)
• Support for Caravan to Ottawa events ($2000)
• Support for organizing in relation to suite of federal legislation, AFN Implementation Committee ($2000)
• Materials on impact of Free Trade Agreement of the Americas on Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Network on Economies and Trade ($12,000)
• Indigenous Governance Alternatives booklet, Kairos-ARC ($2000)
• Production of UNESCO paper on Indigenous traditions and perspectives on water ($4000)

Network Support. As part of building stronger networks with national and international Aboriginal organizations, the Working Group provided travel funds to ensure participation of Indigenous elders and leaders at:

• World Conference Against Racism , Durham, South Africa (2001)
• Caravan to Ottawa and Drums of Nations event in Kenora (2003)
• Kairos-ARC workshops across Canada on the First Nations Governance Act (2003)
• UN Rights of the Child (2003)