We, the delegates to Sacred Assembly ’95, gathered together in Hull, Quebec on Dec. 6-9,1995, having come from the four corners of this land—East, West, North and South—and having brought with us diverse spiritual backgrounds, and having listened to and prayed with Elders, spiritual leaders and with each other, are now able to assert the following:
WE SHARE, AS PART OF OUR COMMON SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION,
THE BELIEF THAT:
♦ the Creator God reigns supreme over all things;
♦ the land on which we live was created for the benefit of all;
♦ as the original inhabitants of this land, Aboriginal peoples have a special right and responsibility to ensure the continuing integrity of the land and the unity and wellbeing of its inhabitants, and;
♦ non-Aboriginal Canadians also share in these responsibilities.
WE SHARE THE RECOGNITION
♦ that reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians must be rooted in a spiritual understanding of land as a gift from the Creator God;
♦ the sins of injustice which have historically divided Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples remain active in our society today;
♦ concrete actions must be taken by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples alike to overcome these injustices and to bind up the wounds of those who have suffered.
WE SHARE AN UNDERSTANDING
♦ that the starting point for healing and reconciliation lies in personal communion with the Creator God;
♦ while change must take place at all levels of society, it must be rooted most firmly in the communities, and
♦ relations based on justice will require respect for past treaties, a fair settlement of land rights disputes the implementation of the inherent right of self-government and the creation of economic development opportunities and other institutions to support it.
WE SHARE A COMMITMENT
As individuals:
♦ to seek the personal guidance and counsel of Elders and spiritual leaders in order to walk more closely with the Creator God;
♦ to return to our communities and develop ways to continue the process of healing and reconciliation that has begun at Sacred Assembly ’95;
♦ to continue to explore with each other our sacred foundations, in order to bring about spiritual reconciliation, Aboriginal justice and the fulfillment of political responsibilities in this country;
♦ to continue to respect the differences in our spiritual journeys, even as we seek to discover the common spiritual link between us.
As churches and faith communities:
♦ to continue the process of healing and reconciliation with Aboriginal peoples, by providing the forums and supports needed to heal the wounds created in the past;
♦ to become stronger advocates for justice and reconciliation in current and future public affairs, and to hold our governments accountable for their implementation of just policies;
♦ to recommit ourselves to a program of education and action on issues relating to land rights, self-government, economic development and racism.
As First Nations and Aboriginal communities and organizations:
♦to work towards healing and reconciliation within our own communities;
♦ to accept the challenge issued by our Youth to create an environment in our communities that encourages a healthy view of oneself and respect for others, and addresses community conflict that prevents Youth from finding their path.
