That the Executive of General Council request the Moderator and the General Secretary to renew their attempt to meet with the Prime Minister of Canada to help pursue a means of dealing with the legacies of Residential Schools which does not involve court driven decisions and other related matters.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Division of Mission in Canada, in cooperation with Conferences, initiate contact and seek meetings with Ministers of Education in all the provinces and territories. The intent of these meetings would be to request the development of Native Studies courses to be included as required study for all students.

We now realize that the offering of the churches and of countless faithful and caring servants of the churches, through their participation in the residential school system has tragically resulted in pain and suffering and injustice for many.

Today is a time of spiritual dislocation for many Christians. A secular and consumerist spirit pervades public life. The shopping mall can be as much a Sunday morning destination as is church.

WHEREAS The United Church of Canada, in the apology offered by the 31st General Council to the Native Peoples of Canada, committed itself to walk together with them "so that our people may be blessed, and God's creation healed"...

The United Church of Canada, in the apology offered by the 31st General Council to the Native people of Canada, committed itself to walk together with them "so that our people may be blessed and God's Creation healed" Keywords: Residential Schools, Native, Aboriginal, First Nations, Native Indian

That the 34th General Council of the United Church of Canada continue to pressure the federal government to respond to the legacy of the residential schools.

From October 1989 to the end of 1990, the United Church was involved in the study of the document The Authority and Interpretation of Scripture (referred to as the Study Document in this report). As the statistics show, in terms of the sheer numbers of persons involved and responses received, it has been one of the most extensive church studies. People came to the study with different levels of energy and spiritual expressions and with a variety of expectations and assumptions.  A participant in one Conference event spoke for many involved in the study when she said, “People came…looking for a garden ready to harvest but were given dirt and tools.” It is a good metaphorical description; what we offer as a report reflects the labour of many Christian people, at home and abroad, who were not afraid to plough in with hope of a good harvest.

The report, which was circulated at the September meeting was reviewed. It was reported that the leadership of Oliver Howard of BC Conference on this issue was most appreciated. There was some discussion about the general nature of the report and whether more specifics would be helpful.

The 31st General Council request the General Secretary of General Council to request the federal, and where appropriate, the provincial governments to clarify, strengthen and guarantee Indian fishing rights in full consultation with the Indian people; this to include licensing principles and licensing boards.