Indian Residential Schools

In working to resolve the Indian Residential Schools legacy, the United Church has developed statements of principle regarding healing and right relations.

A Brief Overview

The context of the United Church’s involvement in residential schools and the role of the Residential Schools Steering Committee in resolving the legacy.

A Collective Step Forward

A background document on the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

Establishing a Firm Foundation for Healing and Right Relations

The goals in addressing the residential school legacy should be to heal past wrongs and to lay a firm foundation for future right relations of trust, dignity, equality, and respect.

Principles to Guide Our Response in Resolving the Legacy

Principles adopted by the General Council Executive in November 2003.

Kevin Annett and The United Church of Canada

Kevin Annett has made a number of statements about the United Church and its role in the Indian Residential School system that mislead the public and do a disservice to survivors

United Church Apologies to First Nations Peoples

Click here to learn about the background on the United Church’s apologies to First Nations, including the 1986 Apology to First Nations Peoples and the 1998 Apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools.

Repentance Statement of the 36th General Council (1997)

We now realize that the offering of the churches and of countless faithful and caring servants of the churches, through their participation in the residential school system has tragically resulted in pain and suffering and injustice for many. Click here to read the statement.