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Remit 1: Establishing an Autonomous National Indigenous Organization

At the 44th General Council met virtually between February 2022 and August 2022, the General Council approved an amendment to the Basis of Union in The Manual of The United Church of Canada to establish an autonomous National Indigenous Organization. It also authorized a Category 3 Remit to test the will of the church with respect to this change.

Between March 15, 2023 and March 31, 2024, every Regional Council and each Pastoral Charge’s governing body will be asked to approve an amendment to the Basis of Union of The Manual establishing an autonomous Indigenous Church structure. An amendment to the Basis of Union requires a category 3 remit.

The United Church of Canada has approved two proposals that advance the journey toward an autonomous Indigenous Church within The United Church of Canada. You can read the first proposal (referred to as NICO1) by clicking HERE and viewing or downloading the PDF document. The second proposal (GS10) can be viewed/downloaded by clicking HERE. Each community of faith will need to vote on this remit.

The resources on this page will help to guide Pastoral Charges through the process of voting on and approving Remit 1.

As of March 22, 80 percent of EOORC Communities of Faith have voted. 

Resources

 

Videos

  • Answering Your Questions about Remit 1
  • Indigenous Peoples Speak To The Remit  In July 2023, people from Indigenous communities across The United Church of Canada came together at the National Indigenous Spiritual Gathering, where they discussed and voted on Remit 1: Establishing an Autonomous Indigenous Organization. Much wisdom was shared about why the Indigenous church wants this change in structure, and what it means for everyone in the church. The remit passed overwhelmingly at this gathering – now it is up to those who haven’t yet voted to have their say. But first, please see and hear what was said at the Spiritual Gathering in this new video.
     

  • Remit 1 Information Session – October 4, 2023 In this video, Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly, Executive Minister for EOORC, ECORC and CrNRC and The Rev. Dr. Teresa Burnett-Cole, lead a discussion on Remit 1: Establishing an autonomous national indigenous organization. The discussion includes the history behind the Remit, the implications for voting, and what is being asked of your community of faith.

  • Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole Presentation At the 2023 EOORC Annual Meeting, Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole gave an inspired presentation about Remit 1 and its implications for the United Church.
  • A Different Future A reflection on the church’s history of residential schools.