Women’s Memorial March, February 14

On February 14, communities across the country hold the Women’s Memorial March to honour and remember Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) in Canada.

The Women’s Memorial March originated in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Information for the 2026 Vancouver march can be found here. Please check social media to see what is happening in your community – the information often comes out in early February. We encourage United Church communities of faith and individuals to join Indigenous people and organizations, labour, and civil society groups in this important act of public witness against racism and violence, and for justice.

[Image credit: Indigenous/Racialized Youth Gathering visits Camp Morgan | IMJ]

Learning from Youth and Young Adults

Looking for learning opportunities for your community of faith? The 2025 Indigenous and Racialized Youth Scholars are still available to share the results of their research projects on identity, Canadian history, and the impact of racism. Visit the website to learn more and book an online meeting with a young scholar!

Do you know someone who would be a good candidate for the 2026 cohort? Stay tuned for the invitation to apply.

[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]

Ten Years of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Indigenous Art on Orange on Orange colour scheme

“This ten-year milestone affirms what Survivors have always known: that Truth and Reconciliation is not a moment in time, but a movement to be carried forward by all who choose to listen, learn, and act.” Since 2015, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) has been carrying forward the legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and doing the sacred work of preserving the stories of those impacted by Canada’s colonial institutions. Visit the NCTR website to download the 10-year report entitled Shaped by Courage; Strengthened by Hope, and learn more about the work that has been done and what lies ahead.

[Image credit: NCTR]

Rights Issues Continue with One Canadian Economy Act

The federal government’s decision to ram its One Canadian Economy Act through Parliament without adequate consultation and discussion with First Nations was in violation Canada’s UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and its constitutional obligations. This continues to have reverberations. Recently, Canada and Alberta signed a Memorandum of Agreement on a pipeline to the BC coast. First Nations in BC who are opposed to the pipeline and supportive of the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, which became law in 2019, were not consulted.

In January Coastal First Nations made clear that they would not revisit the tanker exclusion zone. Heiltsuk Nation Chief Marilyn Slett said, “our interest isn’t about money in this situation. It’s about the responsibility of looking after our territories and nurturing the sustainable economies that we currently have here. Just one spill would ruin our way of life.”

This is just one example of how, in the face of economic and political pressure from the United States, Canada is abandoning its nation-to-nation, treaty, and constitutional obligations to Indigenous peoples. As Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict said with respect to the provincial government’s proposal to remove some permit requirements for mining companies to use water in December, “We’re deeply concerned with the approach that this government is taking in response to economic threats from abroad. We’ve been very clear on this issue: we are not opposed to development, but any development that occurs must be done in a way that protects our lands and waters and recognizes and respects our inherent and Treaty rights, including the right to free, prior and informed consent on matters that affect those rights.”

[Image credit: AJ Robsin on Unsplash]