Today, ReconcilingWorks honors the histories, cultures, wisdom, and enduring presence of Indigenous peoples. We celebrate the beautiful diversity of Native nations and communities, whose traditions, languages, spirituality, and leadership continue to enrich our world.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is both a celebration and an invitation to learn.
It invites us to recognize that Indigenous peoples are not simply part of our nation’s past. They are vibrant, diverse, and thriving communities whose stories, sovereignty, and futures matter.
It also calls us to acknowledge the painful history of colonization, forced displacement, and the role Christian churches played in the establishment and operation of boarding schools that sought to erase Indigenous languages, cultures, and identities.
As people of faith, we are called to move beyond acknowledgment toward meaningful relationships, accountability, and action.
How can we put our faith into action?
- Learn whose ancestral and present-day lands your congregation occupies and seek to understand the histories of the Indigenous nations connected to that land.
- Listen to and learn from Indigenous voices, especially those sharing their communities’ histories, traditions, and present-day experiences.
- Support Indigenous-led organizations, artists, businesses, and community initiatives.
- Learn about the history of Indigenous boarding schools and the Church’s responsibility to acknowledge harm and participate in healing and repair.
- Build relationships rooted in respect, humility, and a commitment to Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.
At ReconcilingWorks, our commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion and racial equity calls us to recognize the interconnected nature of justice. Today, we also honor Indigenous LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, recognizing that Two-Spirit is a culturally specific term used by some Indigenous people and does not describe every Indigenous LGBTQIA+ identity.
May we approach this day with open hearts, listening ears, and a willingness to learn. May our gratitude lead to meaningful relationships, and may our faith move us toward justice, healing, and liberation.
Today and every day, we honor Indigenous peoples, celebrate their enduring presence, and commit ourselves to the ongoing work of justice. 🧡
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