In February 2015 the United Church released a statement that acknowledges its complicity in the denigration of Aboriginal wisdom and spirituality: Affirming Other Spiritual Paths (see http://www.united-church.ca/social-action/justice-initiatives/apologies). The document contained a number of statements made by the United Church over the past several decades affirming the inherent validity of diverse spiritual traditions. The resource Circle and Cross: Dialogue Planning Tool was published in 2008 as “an invitation to a conversation about spirituality and justice in the relationships among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.” In 2015, the United Church, through the Ecumenical Working Group on Residential Schools, contributed to the creation of a theological reflection paper identifying questions and learnings arising from our role in the residential school system in order to foster discussion and discernment in theological colleges and learning centres.

The Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre and the Vancouver School of Theology’s Native Ministries Consortium program prepares clergy for ministry in Aboriginal communities. Other theological institutions have incorporated Indigenous history and teachings within their curriculum. The Theological Education Circle (principals, deans, and keepers) has this Call to Action on their agenda. The United Church has identified the need to educate student clergy, clergy already in paid accountable ministry, and clergy from other denominations and countries being admitted to ordered ministry, as well as all clergy and staff working in Aboriginal communities, particularly non-Aboriginal clergy. This will require the work of the whole church as well as the theological education centres.

https://united-church.ca/sites/default/files/affirming-other-spiritual-paths.pdf