Resolution of the NEW05 Indigenous Sovereignty Proposal

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Credit: LA Livingston

On Nov. 8, members of the Executive of the General Council had a special meeting to discuss recommendations about NEW05 Indigenous Sovereignty Proposal, after having the benefit of the discussion at General Council 44 on October 19, as well as background documentation and a timeline of events.

Uppermost in their mind was the principle of self-determination for the Indigenous United Church.

The General Council Executive (GCE) was briefed on a timeline of events related to the National Indigenous Council (NIC). As the GCE considered all the information presented to them, they concluded that the National Indigenous Council was experiencing dysfunction; it was unable to meet its responsibilities and therefore could not continue. They affirmed the recall of the National Indigenous Spiritual Gathering (NISG) to determine the future, and committed to hold the NISG in prayer.

The GCE further affirmed that future governance of the Indigenous Church must be determined by those who belong to the Indigenous Church. The appropriate and traditional body to determine the governance of the Indigenous Church, and to seek a path for healing, is the NISG.

The NISG plans to meet in Winnipeg from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, 2024.

The GCE chose not to take further action on two aspects of the original proposal that would have resulted in reinstating the former NIC as a decision-making body. 

As per the original proposal, the GCE agreed it would be helpful for the NIC and the GCE to clarify their relationship with each other; they look forward to this future collaboration.   

The GCE passed a further motion (GOV 06) directing the General Secretary’s Supervisory Committee to consult with the Judicial Committee to determine if the General Secretary’s action of dissolving the NIC – when it was unable to meet its responsibilities – was within authority of the office of the General Secretary. The committee will report back to the GCE.

This information has also been sent directly to Indigenous communities of faith.

A copy of the text of the key motions passed on November 8, 2024, is available as a download at the bottom of this webpage.  

Related:

• GC44 GOV04: Responding to NEW05 Indigenous Sovereignty Proposal
• GC44 GOV06: Authority of the Office of General Secretary