CUC Approves Motion to Repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery — June 14, 2023
In its final report, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada called on “all religious denominations and faith groups who have not already done so to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples. . .” (Call to Action #49)
On Friday, May 19, 2023, members of the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) heeded that call. Delegates at the Annual General Meeting voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery.
“It is gratifying to see the strong show of support for the motion,” says Kiersten Moore, President of the CUC Board of Trustees, “but we cannot stop here. This is just one of many steps we must take to effect real change in Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples.”
Executive Director, Vyda Ng, agrees. “In addition to repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery, and urging member congregations to do the same, the CUC must advocate for legislation to formally enact the repudiation of the Doctrine nationally and within Canada’s legal systems.”
To support this critical objective, Ng will convene and oversee a two-year Action Group on behalf of the CUC Board of Trustees. Its priorities will include:
- Consulting with the CUC Elders-in-Residence and Indigenous-led organizations on current initiatives and work being undertaken to enact the repudiation of the Doctrine;
- Collaborating with other faith communities and organizations to advocate for national legislation to formally repudiate the Doctrine; and
- Advocating for federal commitment to a policy of restitution and redress.
Ng will establish the Action Group by July 30, 2023. The group is expected to deliver a progress report to the CUC membership at the Annual General Meeting in 2024.
If you would like to be engaged in this work, we invite you to express your interest in this form.
If your congregation has formally repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery, we invite you to let us know here.
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