Churches and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

A review of conflict and peaceful coexistence between indigenous peoples and settler societies around the world, including the examination of (1) differences among the world’s indigenous peoples in their cultures, political economic situations, and in their relationships with colonizing settler societies and (2) efforts to transcend “contemporary colonialism” and “post-modern imperialism” to establish indigenously defined cultural, social, and

Implication of indigenous identities in the emergence and transformation of conflicts. Ethnic and religious dimensions of indigenous cultural resurgence in Canada and other national contexts. Conflict reduction and pluralistic coexistence.

Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives on the First Peoples in Canada, cultural diversity, traditional practices and beliefs, relationship with the environment, changing roles and structures influenced by colonization. Contemporary issues faced by First Nations, Métis and Inuit, including cultural genocide and trauma.

Theoretical and methodological analysis of the Land. It involves practical engagement with diverse perspectives on the Land and its sacredness with a particular emphasis on Indigenous approaches and understandings.

Study of Indigenous spiritualities and approaches for inclusive and connected practices of leadership. Examination of the spirituality-based knowledge of Indigenous peoples, including their philosophies, worldviews, sacred ways of knowing and modes of relationship to the natural world.

Study of Indigenous knowledge about spirituality and inclusive and interconnected leadership practices. Exploration of Indigenous ways of knowing, including intellectual and spiritual traditions and relationships to the living world. Implications for decolonizing settler societies.

Studies of indigenous knowledge linked to ancestral and contemporary modes of governance. Exploring epistemologies linked to the relationship with the land and the living, and study of the challenges associated with the implementation of self-determination in colonial contexts.

Study of Indigenous governance and leadership practices and relationships at local, regional and national levels in Canada. Examination of colonial political relationships between Indigenous and settler governments as well as avenues for partnership and collaboration with Indigenous communities and governments.

Diversity of First Peoples so that future generations will understand and assimilate the knowledge necessary for us to collectively achieve reconciliation, by mounting the the concerted efforts of Europeans to destroy Indigenous nations. How First Peoples resisted efforts at assimilation and annihilation in order to maintain their distinct identities and ways of doing things, in other words, how they resisted colonial oppression.

General review of different social movement theories and analysis of different Indigenous social movements in the Americas, Africa, Australasia and Melanesia highlighting their modes of mobilization and action, their failures and successes in terms of political transformation. Alliances between these movements around the world as well as the alliances between these movements and other social movements.

Indigenous and non-Indigenous theological and pastoral voices. History of and process of reconciliation, theological and pastoral questions related to Indigenous Peoples, and current debates. The Indigenous resurgence and its implications for the churches and theology.

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