About the Recommended ReadingsÂ
The PMRC and Indigenous Recommended Readings includes key historical documents like Treaties, TRC Calls to Action and UNDRIP, as well as articles, books and websites. The materials here are offered by Indigenous Ministry leadership, for United Church people to embrace for learning and understanding. It is our sincere hope that these documents support relationship building, and transformative reconciliation.
The Reading List is currently organized into five areas:
- Foundational Historical Documents: Includes published resources that are considered key, and introductory material to matters concerning the United Church and Indigenous peoples, including United Church Resources, Treaties (B.C.), and National / International Resources.
- Books: Published material available in hard copy or electronically and serves as a reference list for those interested in purchasing from a bookstore or borrowing from a library.
- Websites
- Articles: Links to current articles in online periodicals.
- Residential Schools: Articles, books, and websites relating specifically to the history and legacy of residential schools
1. Foundational Documents
National/International Resources
2. Books
- Gray, Lynda. First Nations 101, 2nd ed. Vancouver: Adaawx Publishing, 2022.
- Miller, J.R. Shingwauk's Vision: A History of Native Residential Schools. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1996.
- Snow, John. These mountains are our sacred places : the story of the Stoney Indians. Toronto: Samuel Stevens, 1977.
3. Websites
- United Church of Canada – Reconciliation and Indigenous JusticeÂ
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR)Â
- Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC)Â
- Kairos Canada kairoscanada.org Specifically: https://www.kairoscanada.org/what-we-do/indigenous-rights/churches-response-call-action-48
- The Archives of the Pacific Mountain Regional Council, Indigenous Playlist (YouTube)
4. Articles
These articles have been classified according to the Brian Deer classification system, a system developed through the Assembly of First Nations and currently in use at the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Library and many other Indigenous libraries. The content in this section will be refreshed periodically.
History & Culture - North America & International
Economies & Financial Systems
- Indigenous services minister ‘alarmed’ by allegations about construction practices on First NationsÂ
- Secwépemc innovator develops water quality app for communityÂ
Justice System – (Civil, Common, Criminal Law)
- Man shot dead during RCMP call to Vancouver Island First Nations communityÂ
- Parliamentary budget office says cost of compensating First Nations families sits at $15BÂ
Law, Legislation & Government Policy
- A Cold Rain Falls: Canada’s Proposed UNDRIP LegislationÂ
- B.C. Indigenous leaders invited to observe Columbia River Treaty talksÂ
- First Nations call for inquiry into federal low-bid policyÂ
- B.C. budget commits to Indigenous reconciliation through health-care spending, new programs
- New guidance on legislation supports Indigenous rights
- Council approves groundbreaking UNDRIP strategy for Vancouver
Rights & Title
- Province returns traditional territory to Tsartlip First NationÂ
- Small island off B.C. coast returned to local First Nation
- Snuneymuxw First Nation, B.C. Ferries sign formal agreement guiding business decisions in nation's territory
Roles & Relationships
Scope note:Â Includes racism/anti-racism
- B.C. First Nations advocates condemn use of Orange Shirt Day movement by trucker convoy
- B.C. mayor blasts ‘racist rhetoric’ directed at First Nation amid COVID-19 outbreakÂ
- Indigenous communities are denied the most important medicine people can receive: KindnessÂ
- To end racism against Indigenous peoples, we have to name it and speak up
- Racism and discrimination are almost universal when showing status card, new report says
Health
- A sin tax on sugary drinks unfairly targets Indigenous communities instead of improving healthÂ
- How colonial systems have left some First Nations without clean drinking waterÂ
- Indigenous leaders call on B.C. government to notify parents subjected to ‘illegal and unconstitutional’ birth alerts
- NAN calls for more accountability on First Nations drinking water advisoriesÂ
- New doc looks at how West Coast First Nations are coping with pandemicÂ
- Officials apologize after more than 200 vaccine doses pulled from remote B.C. communityÂ
- Report from B.C. First Nation on COVID-19 pandemic response critical of lack of supportÂ
- Report: Lifespan of First Nations water infrastructure cut short by underfunding
- New office to tackle systemic racism within health-care system in Sask.
Language
- How the erasure of their place names can have 'real-life effects' on Indigenous people
- Woman's request to register business in her Indigenous language denied by B.C. governmentÂ
Tangible & Material Culture
Worldview
5. Residential Schools
In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 59, we have complied a reading about residential schools.
We call upon church parties to the Settlement Agreement to develop ongoing education strategies to ensure that their respective congregations learn about their church's role in colonization, the history and legacy of residential schools, and why apologies to former residential school students, their families, and communities were necessary.