Since the termination of Project North in 1987, further evaluation and consultation between the churches in Canada has led to a new coalition on aboriginal justice concerns. This is the result of discussion between the churches, network groups, and native organizations. It shifts the focus of the former Project North to include justice issues for native people all over Canada and is based upon the church leaders' recent statement: "A New Covenant".
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That this National Executive Council support and participate fully in the new coalition: Project North - Ecumenical Coalition for Aboriginal Justice; and request the Program Committee to appoint two representatives from the Anglican Church of Canada to its Steering Committee. CARRIED #54-11-88
Bishop Morgan drew attention to the document "The New Covenant" stating that appeals have been received from native people that the Sunday before the First Minister's Conference be designated a Day of Prayer.
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That this House of Bishops respond to the request of Native leaders for the Churches to name a Day of Prayer to precede the final First Ministers' Conference to be held on March 26-27, by designating Sunday, March 22, as a Day of Prayer for Aboriginal Peoples:
And that we commend the document entitled "A New Covenant" prepared as a Pastoral Statement by leaders of the Christian Churches to be used as a focus for this Day of Prayer. CARRIED
Resource kit of materials compiled by Project North (B.C.).
Includes annotated bibliography: 8 p.
Includes "Worship Resources": 12 p.
Includes "A New Covenant ... A Pastoral Statement by the Leaders of the Christian Churches on Aboriginal Rights and the Canadian Constitution" dated February 8, 1987.
"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.
"Written and edited by Ed Bianchi, Maura Hanrahan, Jennifer Henry, Shannon Neufeldt, and Chuck Wright". p. iv.
"The article, 'Understanding Treaty as Covenant', was graciously provided by Stan McKay". -- p. iv.
"'In Peace and Friendship' is a response to those who faith or conscience compels them to understand more deeply the struggles of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. It provides an opportunity, particularly for non-Aboriginal people, to open themselves to a new perspective by exploring a relationship with the original inhabitants of this land that recognizes their unique nationhood. .... [It] is an educational resource for groups of youth or adults, within a congregation, a regional church body or as an open community event. There are five sessions. This resource could be used as a series of weekly workshops for a local group or linked together for a 2-day conference or retreat. The first and fifth sessions assume a Christian perspective". -- p. i.
Contents: [Prefatory Material i.e.] Purpose -- Uses -- Facilitators -- Format -- Before You Begin -- Terminology -- Table of Contents -- A New Relationship: Contextual Article -- Session 1: Renewing the Covenant -- Faithful to God's Covenant: Theological Reflection -- Session 2: Nation to Nation -- A Continent of Nations: Background Article -- Session 3: Collective Rights -- In Common: Background Article -- Session 4: A Case in Point -- Reclaiming Land in Caledonia: Background Article -- Session 5: Churches in Solidarity ? -- The Churches' Role in Recognizing Aboriginal Rights: Background Article.
"Produced by the Aboriginal Rights Coalition (Project North)".
"You have in your hands an introduction to the Canadian churches' work on Aboriginal issues. This booklet was compiled for you by the Aboriginal Rights Coalition (ARC). 1995 marks the twentieth anniversary of the Aboriginal Rights Coalition (formerly Project North). Project North was born in 1975 after Aboriginal leaders called the national churches to do more than pass resolutions and issue statements on Aboriginal issues". -- Intro.
Contents: Introduction / Lorraine Land, National Co-Chair, Aboriginal Rights Coalition (Project North) -- Theological Preface / Menno Wiebe, Mennonite Central Committee, Canada -- History of Contact between Indigenous Peoples and Newcomers in the Country Now Called Canada -- The Untied Church of Canada Apology to Native Congregations -- A New Covenant: Towards the Constitutional Recognition and Protection of Aboriginal Self-Government in Canada: A Pastoral Statement by the Leaders of the Christian Churches on Aboriginal Rights and the Canadian Constitution: February 5, 1987 -- Key Issues -- A Selective Resource List: Churches and First Nations -- Resources on Aboriginal Land Rights and Self-Determination -- Aboriginal Rights Coalition Network Groups -- Notes [blank pages headed "Notes"] -- What is ARC ?
The Advent 1996 issue of the International Anglican Family Network "tells of just a few of the projects, linked with churches, which are trying to alleviate the suffering and halt the spread of the disease. In this terrible situation there are signs of hope." Article includes reports from 12 different countries.
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".
Editorial describing the devastation of AIDS, especially in the Third World, and calling on Anglicans to observe AIDS Awareness Day, on Sunday October 3.