Decisions for Indigenous Peoples

The Synod of the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert's Land (one of four provinces in the Anglican Church of Canada) met in Edmonton May 3-6, hosted by the Diocese of Edmonton. It dealt with two issues important to its Indigenous members. 

1. The Province agreed to the provision of two suffragan bishops for the diocese of the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh (northern Manitoba and Northern Ontario) and also agreed that the Indigenous people of those regions will chose these bishops according to their own cultural practices and their approach to discernment.
2. The Province also officially endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and has committed to living out the values represented in it in all its future work and decisions.

The Province of Rupert's Land includes the dioceses of Edmonton, Athabasca, the Arctic, Brandon, Calgary, Qu'Appelle, Rupert's Land, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh. 

Watch for more details in the summer edition of The Messenger.