Learning gathering on unmarked burials

Our Sacred Responsibilities: learning from the Unmarked Burials report and challenging settler denial.

All welcome to this day-long learning gathering, open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. We will focus on the United Church’s responsibilities, but all backgrounds are welcome as a full part of the day.

Together we will learn about the recent report on unmarked burials; explore what reparations means; learn about the problem of settler denialism; and practice together how to challenge it.

Community, prayer, ceremony, and cultural supports will be part of our day. A separate support space is also available to First Nations, Métis and Inuit, respecting that this is a hard topic.

Practical details

The full reports from the Office of the Special Interlocutor on Unmarked Burials are available here. (They’re long, which is one of the reasons we’re offering this learning space.)

9:30 gathering and coffee; program begins at 10:00AM; we will finish no later than 4:00PM. The building is fully accessible, and we will be using mics to assist those with hearing needs. There is parking on site, and transit a block away. Lunch and snacks included. Registration is free but required, so we can plan for meals. Please click here to register. 

Travel costs for First Nations, Métis, and Inuk participants will be covered. We will be in a space where Christian symbols will not be used, and where smudging and medicines will be part of our day.

Organized by Indigenous Ministries and Justice of the United Church and by Living Skies Regional Council: The United Church of Canada. Thank you to Station 20 West for hosting.