TUCC is committed to the path of healing and reconciliation, in partnership, with Indigenous and Settler communities, throughout the four regions that we serve.
We acknowledge that we gather today on the traditional territory of many Nations, including the Huron-Wendat, Petun, Seneca, the Mississaugas of the Credit, and Métis. We live and work on territories covered by many treaties, including the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and the Ojibway and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the lands around the Great Lakes. Today, the regions that TUCC serves, is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island, including survivors and intergenerational family members who have been impacted by the legacy of the residential school system. We honour them as we stand committed to being partners in healing, reconciliation, and justice.
The Witness Blanket
In the fall of 2025, The Witness Blanket—a powerful national monument created by artist Carey Newman—will be on display at Trinity-St. Andrew’s United Church in Cannington, Ontario. TUCC is honoured to support this exhibition through our Davenport Interest Fund.
Made from hundreds of reclaimed items—a school door, letters, clothing, and personal belongings—The Witness Blanket honours Survivors of the residential school system and tells the truth of this painful chapter in our Church’s history (and in Canada’s history). It also challenges us to commit ourselves to listen, reflect, and continue the ongoing work of truth, healing, and reconciliation. Learn more on the national Witness Blanket website.
We invite you to watch Janice Meighan of TUCC interview Sharon Woodrow, a member of Trinity-St. Andrew’s United Church who has worked tirelessly to bring the exhibit to her community. Her story will inspire you, and we hope it will encourage you to make the trip to experience The Witness Blanket exhibit firsthand.
Visit The Witness Blanket September 7 through October 18, 2025. Admission is free, open daily from 12 noon to 8 PM (closed Mondays).
Current and Recent Initiatives:
Gibimishkaadimin
Gibimishkaadimin is a project of reconciliation engaging Indigenous youth from across Canada and non-Indigenous youth from Shining Waters region. Each year, Gibimishkaadimin’s participants set out on a canoe trip in Northern Ontario. The focus of the trip is on collaborative and experiential learning through an Indigenous perspective and on fostering relationships. Gibimishkaadimin was established by Bloor Street, Fairlawn, and Rosedale United Churches in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. It is directed by a six-person Board, three of whom are Indigenous. TUCC has made a commitment of $36,000 ($12,000/year for three years) to support trips in 2022, 2023, and 2024. One 2023 participant said: “The journey was great. Really fun. The canoeing part was quite a challenge. I felt good about myself that I was able to do the canoeing. The high point was the circles and the teachings. Being with new people.” A video featuring the experiences of some of the 2023 participants can be viewed at right.
Facilitating the Gift of Land from Four Winds Development Corporation & Faith United Church to All Our Relations Land Trust
Following the publication of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s report in 2015, the members of Faith United Church in Kingston decided to offer their land (leased from Four Winds Development Corporation) for an Indigenous-Church reconciliation initiative. The congregation partnered with the All Our Relations Land Trust (previously All Our Relations group), an organization created by members of the local urban Indigenous community to support biodiversity and foster cultural resurgence. On the land, AORLT, non-profit groups, and community members have planted and cared for an Indigenous food sovereignty garden and little forests, held Indigenous ceremony, and welcomed students from schools across the region for educational field trips. The intention of Four Winds and Faith United has been to “gift” this land to AORLT in the spirit of reconciliation, and in January of 2023, AORLT attained charitable status, allowing it to accept donations. In the meantime, as Four Winds Development Corporation (the owner of the land) prepared to close and divest of its remaining assets, it sought TUCC’s help, requesting that we hold the land in question and steward the process to complete the transfer and gifting of the land to AORLT. TUCC readily agreed to help facilitate this important reconciliation work and received the land in 2023. On December 17th, 2024 the final transfer and gift was made to AORLT along with $10,000 to assist with any immediate costs related to the land.
Finding Peter Bryce: Story of a National Crime
Finding Peter Bryce is a 22 minute documentary that tells the story of an early critic of the residential school system. Dr. Peter Bryce was Ontario’s first Chief of Public Health. In the early 20th Century, Bryce spoke out about the residential school system’s deeply inadequate response to malnutrition and tuberculosis and in response, was relieved of his duties by senior government officials. In 1922, Bryce published Story of a National Crime, describing the tragic consequences. TUCC provided funds towards the film’s production and is authorized to share it free of charge with United Church communities of faith. Our hope is that it will help facilitate important conversations about the role of individuals and communities of faith in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action. The film, along with discussion questions and recommended reading is now available on TUCC’s e-learning platform, CHURCHx.
Islington United Church's Indigenous Mural Project
Islington United Church has commissioned Indigenous (from the Moose Deer Point First Nation) artist Philip Cote to create a mural for one of its exterior walls titled “Etobicoke – Place of the Alders, Honouring the Original Story.” The mural represents the community of faith’s response to the TRC call to action #49, which calls upon faith groups “to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius.” Islington United’s membership conceived of the mural project as a way to honour Indigenous teachings, while embodying a commitment to reconciliation through art. In November, 2023, TUCC granted $7,000 to the project from its Davenport Interest Fund.
Trinity St. Paul's United Church's Indigenous Mural Project's
Trinity St. Paul’s United Church commissioned a mural by Anishinaabe artist Joseph Sagaj for its northeast staircase, which was not being used as the community of faith plans for future repairs. This project is one of the ways in which TSP is working to address the calls to action identified by the Truth & Reconciliation Commission. The Bloor-Annex BIA is helping to build a transparent case for the stairs that will protect the mural from the elements and in December 2023, TUCC granted $5,000 from its Davenport Interest Fund to support the installation of the artwork.
The Heart & Vision Awards
From 2016 to 2018, TUCC used the forum of its annual Heart & Vision Awards concert to highlight the exemplary leadership of individuals committed to the work of reconciliation. Award recipients included:
2016 – Dr. Roberta Jamieson, Ontario Ombudsman and executive director of Indspire, an organization which funds First Nations’ postsecondary students and Dr. Marie Wilson, Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
2017 – The Very Reverend Dr. Stan McKay, past moderator of the United Church and Dr. Cindy Blackstock, McGill University professor, judicial activist and executive director of First Nations Child & Family Caring Society.
2018 – The Reverend Dr. Grafton Antone, social activist, Dr. Eileen Antone, educator and Senator Murray Sinclair, Lead Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
For more information:
The United Church of Canada’s page on reconciliation and Indigenous justice.
The Government of Canada’s page on healing and reconciliation (including the commission and reports).