On Sunday October 4, 2026, all communities of faith are invited to read together the 1986 Apology to Indigenous peoples. October 4 is the also the day to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people, and to commit to taking action to end this continuing epidemic of violence. It is also Worldwide Communion Sunday, uniting Christians around the world in an act of common thanksgiving, remembering, and commitment. Maybe the Spirit is moving through these three sacred moments, uniting them and calling us into recommitment to truth, reconciliation, and new life.

1986 Apology and 1988 Response (PDF)
A Litany of Apology and Response from the 30th anniversary (PDF)
Video: Moderator Bob Smith reading the apology; response by Edith Memnook and Gladys Taylor  (3:37 minutes)
Hymn for the 30th anniversary (PDF)

Canadian Shield Regional Council carries responsibility for the cairn marking the site of the Apology. Here is their Apology overview page and resources.

Background 
Forty years ago the 31st General Council of The United Church of Canada responded to a challenge by Alberta Billy,  Laichweltach We Wai Kai Nation leader representing the Native Ministries Council. An Apology to First Nations Peoples was delivered by the Moderator, the Right Reverend Bob Smith, for the Church’s role in colonization and the resulting loss of Indigenous languages, cultures, and spirituality. It was a profound moment in the history of The United Church of Canada and the words still resonate deeply. The Apology was received as a step forward but remains unaccepted. The Indigenous United Church is watching for meaningful and sustained action that lives into the words before reconciliation can happen.

On Sunday, October 4, 2026 all non-Indigenous United Church communities of faith across the country are invited to read the words of the 1986 Apology, and to acknowledging the land their church is on. Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church, Toronto issued the call with Canadian Shield Regional Council and Shining Waters Regional Council. They have invited the whole church to join them. This invitation is coming late in your worship planning. We wanted to share this call and opportunity with you, so that your community of faith can be united with others. You can also of course choose another Sunday.

Resources 
Along with the opening paragraph above to put the Apology in context, a litany that incorporates the Apology is humbly offered by the Rev. Nigel Weaver for use in worship services. Indigenous United Church communities of faith might choose to read the 1988 response delivered by Edith Memnook, representative of the then newly formed All Native Circle Conference. A video of the words of the Apology and Acknowledgement, in the voices of those who first offered them, is also included above. We hope these help you honour the Apology in worship and remind people of this commitment,  or introduce them to it. Thank you for considering this invitation.