Fonds F550 - United Church of Canada Aboriginal Ministries Council fonds

Participants at the 2005 Aboriginal Consultation in Sudbury strongly recommended that Aboriginal peoples become partners in the work of The United Church of Canada through the establishment of an Aboriginal Ministries Unit. The Aboriginal Ministries Steering Committee was established in 2006 to undertake a process of consultation and discernment with Aboriginal members and others within the church about a National Aboriginal Council and Aboriginal Ministries Unit. A report of the Steering Committee, entitled “Giving Voice to a Vision” was presented to the General Council Executive in November, 2008. Based on the adopted report, the Aboriginal Ministries Council, with the purpose of overseeing and guiding the work of Aboriginal Ministries was created and to be implemented by an Aboriginal Ministries Council Implementation Task Group. The inaugural meeting was held in September, 2009. A staff team in the General Council office is called Aboriginal Ministries Circle and works in partnership with The United Church to apply Aboriginal people’s vision of spiritual healing, stewardship, and economic well-being. A large part of their work is the National Aboriginal Spiritual Gatherings which provide an opportunity to share and nurture the vision of the Circle. The Aboriginal Ministries Council takes direction from the Spiritual Gatherings and sends this work to the Executive of the General Council. It also reflects and takes into consideration the documented meetings of the Aboriginal Ministries Steering Committee, the All Native Circle Conference, and Aboriginal Presbyteries which document and reflect the voice of the Aboriginal community. The Council supports approximately 52-56 Native Ministries, including congregations and outreach ministries. The Healing Fund and the Towards Right Relations Task Group both report to the Council.

Staffing:
General Council Minister
Aboriginal Ministries Coordinator
Healing Programs Coordinator
Administrative and Program Support
Youth Leadership Coordinator
Community Capacity Development Coordinator

Aboriginal Ministries work was previously a part of the Office of the Moderator and General Secretary, the Support to Local Ministries Unit and Division of Mission in Canada Unit.