Advent Unwrapped: Making Things Right

This year’s Advent Unwrapped resources include a Longest Night service, “Making Things Right.” It invites us, as people seeking reconciliation and a more just world, to reflect on the work of reparations. You can download it (and other Advent materials) on the Advent Unwrapped page of the United Church website.

New Prayer: 10th Anniversary of the TRC Final Report

December 15th marks the 10th Anniversary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We’ve written this prayer for you to use on your own or in church on Sunday, December 14th. It is consistent with the “Advent Unwrapped” liturgy for that day.

Doctrine of Discovery Advent/Christmas Study

[Image credit: First United]

Looking for a different kind of Advent study? Lauren Sanders, the Indigenous Spiritual Care Coordinator at First United in Vancouver has put together an Advent/Christmas study session on the Doctrine of Discovery. Explore primary documents, Indigenous interpretations, and scripture one day at a time. Can be used by individuals or groups.

Looking Ahead: Women’s Memorial March, February 14

February 14 seems like a long time from now, but it will be here before we know it, and it will mark the 33rd annual Women’s Memorial March to honour and remember Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) in Canada.

These marches take place across the country and involve Indigenous people and organizations, labour, and civil society groups. We would like to encourage and help organize United Church participation in existing marches. If you know of an event in your community, please share that information with Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice Animator Sara Stratton. We’ll pull together a list of events in the new year and connect you to them!

Imagine a Canada

Red leaves on top of a blanket of white snow

[Image credit: K. Buehler]

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has just launched Imagine a Canada 2026, an opportunity for students from K-12 and CEGEP “to envision a reconciled Canada and make something that reflects their vision.”

To enter, students may create artwork, write an essay, or plan a community project to promote reconciliation. Youth from select projects will be invited to participate in virtual leadership training exercises, and at the end of the school year there will be a national celebration to honour up to twelve projects from the art and essay stream and up to fifteen projects from the project stream.

For more information, please visit Imagine a Canada. Submissions are due January 23, 2026.

Is the Federal Budget Redefining Reconciliation?

Indigenous leadership has responded to the new federal budget, criticizing the level of funding for vital services, and reiterating their concerns about the sidelining of rights-holders in development and security projects.

In this APTN news post,  National Association of Friendship Centres CEO Jocelyn Formsma expressed her concern that the budget redefines reconciliation, saying “I’m really concerned that reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is going to be contingent upon how we can demonstrate our benefit to the economy and that’s not really what reconciliation was supposed to be about.”

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed said he was “troubled” by the Arctic focus on security and Canadian sovereignty with no reference to the role of Inuit as the original inhabitants of the land.

Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict said in a press release, “We recognize the federal government’s focus on growth and resilience, but true national strength must include equitable investments that ensure First Nations can thrive alongside all Canadians and are not left behind.”

The United Church has written to the Prime Minister sharing our priorities for the budget. These include anti-racism, reconciliation, and Indigenous rights.

Title Ruling Stokes Settler Backlash

A recent BC Supreme Court ruling on Aboriginal title has ignited claims that the Cowichan Nation is seeking to claim land held by homeowners. Such claims have long been used to create fear among non-Indigenous peoples and maintain broad opposition to Indigenous land rights, and are of concern to us as a church committed to reconciliation and anti-racism.

The land in question is now part of the city of Richmond, but was originally the Cowichan village of Tl’uqtinus, and some surrounding land. The Cowichan have argued that it should have been included in the creation of reserve lands in 1859, but was intentionally left out and purchased by the colonial Land Commissioner.

The Supreme Court agreed, ruling that Crown and city title on the land are “defective,” and infringe on Cowichan title. The province was directed to negotiate in good faith with the Cowichan Nation. Instead, the province and city have issued inflammatory statements about the threat to private property. The Cowichan Nation has made clear its position that the decision “has not and does not challenge the effectiveness or validity of any title held by individual private landowners. The ruling does not erase private property.”

Cowichan chiefs are quoted in this APTN news post as saying that the city’s and province’s “negative and erroneous messaging is provoking unnecessary fears. Their approach is inconsistent with the Court’s decision and is contrary to reconciliation.

40 Days on Anti-Racism: Being in Right Relations

[Video credit: The United Church of Canada]

In this video, Samantha Miller, a young Haudenosaunee woman who is active in the Indigenous Youth Program, invites us to move beyond checklists and into the heart of what it means to be in right relations—with ourselves, with one another, and with the land.

Explore all the resources and activities for 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism

United Church Women-Healing Program Collaboration

Exploring Indigenous Justice and Healing through the Healing fund Initiatives Supported by United Church Women

[Image credit: Dreamstime]

The United Church Women (UCW) have been actively engaged in projects and work on Indigenous justice with Healing Programs Coordinator Joni Shawana. They have raised funds, worked on reconciliation initiatives, and been intentional about learning about Indigenous healing strategies, culture, and justice. Learn more about what they have been doing, and what you can do in your own local context, in this recording of a 40 Days on Anti-Racism live event from earlier this month.