GC45 WF20: TICIF02 Revised Principles for Justice Work for Summer 2025

Almost all groups discussed this proposal. 

There was strong support for moving forward with the proposal. 

One group suggested the addition of ‘restorative justice’ as a principle. Another group noted that we should cite the source of the phrase “all my relations” to honour Indigenous wisdom. 

Several groups suggested the need to set up an evaluation process for this work. Concerns were raised about the need for implementation with accountability. 

Therefore, the Way Forward Committee proposes: 

That, in response to TICIF02 Revised Principles for Justice Work, the 45th General Council, 2025,  

• approve the revised principles, including the preamble, with edits to the wording to call attention to the source of the term ‘all my relations’; and
• encourage further conversation with the Indigenous church about ways to include Indigenous spiritual teachings into the principles for justice and to bring suggestions and revisions to a subsequent General Council.
• Direct the General Secretary to develop an evaluation and reporting process for how the principles are effectively serving the living out of the justice work of The United Church of Canada, with an initial report to the General Council in 2026