Passed by consensus of the National Board, July 1, 2007

“Where one would be overcome, two will put up resistance. And a three-braid cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 New Jerusalem Version)

June 29 was a national day of action by Indigenous peoples and allies across Canada. This day reminds us of the need for struggle to transform all the things that continue Canada’s tragic legacy of colonization. It also reminds us of the call to repentance, for us as Canadian citizens, but also as people associated with the Christian churches, which also have much to repent for.

The Student Christian Movement of Canada, at least at this point in time, is largely a non-Native group of students trying to bring together spirituality and justice. We are ecumenical (inter-church) and have an 86-year history of trying to act “in solidarity with the oppressed to resist structures of domination and realize justice in this world” (from our mission), based on how we understand the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Our regular engagements with issues of human rights, peace, anti-oppression and justice inevitably raise questions about the status of the First Peoples of this land - and further, call us to some kind of action in the face of those injustices.

We would like to take this opportunity to pledge our solidarity with our Indigenous sisters and brothers, not only on this day of action, but in an ongoing way. This may take many forms, and it is not easy to all agree on what solidarity looks like. Some of our members participated in June 29 actions and protests. Others may already be building relationships with Native communities. Some of us are seeking paths to true equality, encompassing the need to right past injustices. Others take time to clearly acknowledge that we are building our ecumenical movement on Native land and recall that we are but guests here. Perhaps this is not adequate, but it is a start and we have much work ahead of us. The diversity of possible paths forward is a reminder that righting relationships is a journey of beauty, celebration and holiness - a journey rooted deeply in the Gospel.

We pray for a peaceful unfolding of justice for those so deeply hurt and wronged by colonization - not only historically but also through its more hidden hands today in our hurtful economic system, environmental destruction and pervasive racism against the First Peoples. The churches, too, have not done enough to redress the residential schools and assimilation projects.

As the Student Christian Movement of Canada, we encourage our members, local units, and all people of conscience to begin the work of decolonization if not yet begun, and to get to know better our Indigenous neighbours and act for justice.

We pray for repentance (“a turning around,” in Biblical terms) and the courage to face the beast of racism as allies with our neighbours who are struggling, remembering that we, too, can fall short of the mark.

We also pray for healing and hope for those scarred through the generations, and believe that Jesus, who opposed the Empire of his day to the point of martyrdom, will strengthen all those who struggle to survive, to resist creatively, and to learn better the practices of solidarity, right relationship, and the strength of the circle.

May our first steps of solidarity move us from the isolation of one to the unbreakable strength of a “three-braid cord” standing together, with all our relations.