Pointing the way toward an improved relationship with the Anglican aboriginal peoples of Canada, a looseleaf binder called "A New Agape" has been produced and about 1,000 copies distributed so far.
Because of the travel disruptions following the September 11, 2001 attacks, only two of the five Canadian indigenous network members made it to the meeting in Cairns, Australia.
"This book has grown out of the work of Anglicare, carried on through its AIDSLink programme. AIDSLink is the common thread which has brought these people and stories together. Discussions between AIDSLink Coordinator, Judith Antill, and myself led to firstly to the idea of a `book of stories' and finally, to this printed volume." -- Acknowledgements, p. v.
"Discussion questions and thought-provoking Bible verses accompany each story." -- Back cover.
Contents: Foreword / Alfred W. Steinbeck -- Acknowledgements / Mamie Long -- Glossary -- Introduction -- Graham and Margaret -- Tania -- Scott -- Jenny and Andrew -- Michael -- Jean and Marion -- Rebecca -- A church's story -- How can I care for people ? -- What is HIV/AIDS ? -- Stopping the spread -- About AIDSLink -- Selected resources.
A consultation of 20 Aboriginal Anglican leaders met in Winnipeg, Man., from 23-26 April 1994. "The group, which included members of the church's Council for Native Ministries and Aboriginal members of other national committees, presented a statement to the church's national executive council in May [1994]. The statement invites the Anglican Church 'to covenant with us, the indigenous Anglicans of Canada, in our vision of a new and enriched journey'. 'We were elated by how clearly we all felt led to this unanimous vision', said Donna Bomberry, chair of the Council for Native Ministries. .... 'We feel like new missionaries', said the Rev. Arthur Anderson, an Aboriginal member of the national executive council. 'We are bringing a proposal to our church for a new spiritual relationship between ourselves and non-native Anglicans'". "Aboriginal people are estimated to make up about 4 percent of Canadian Anglicans. There are approximately 210 Aboriginal congregations, 70 Aboriginal clergy, and two suffragan bishops".
The text of "A New Covenant": "We representatives of the indigenous people of the Anglican Church of Canada, meeting in Winnipeg from the 23 to 26 April, 1994, pledge ourselves to this covenant for the sake of our people and in trust of our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ: Under the guidance of God's spirit we agree to do all we can to call our people into unity in a new, self-determining community with the Anglican Church of Canada. To this end, we extend the hand of partnership to all those who will help us build a truly Anglican Indigenous Church of Canada. May God bless this new vision and give us grace to accomplish it. Amen".