Right Relations
Quick links to sections on this page
What does Right Relations Mean | First Apology | Manitou Art Collection | Resources | Staff Support
About the Right Relations Resource Team
Contacts
Lisa Blais,
Team Lead of Right Relations RT
Melody Duncanson Hales, CSRC Staff
Minister for Congregational Support
Canadian Shield Regional Council
Phone: 705-474-3350 | 1-833-236-0281
Ext. 5
Email: mduncanson-hales@united-church.ca
Members of the Team
- Lisa Blais (Team Lead)
- Linda Ambrose
- Whitney Bruno
- Sylvia Carscadden
- Janie Clayton
- Susan Lindquist
- Brian Mundell
Right Relations RT Responsibilities:
This Resource Team creates an intentional structure through which the Regional Council lives its commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and the Calls to the Church.
Responsibilities:
- Animating the “Calls to the Church” and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
- Consciousness raising in relation to the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools;
- Responding to issues such as murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls;
- Listening for, responding to, and creating opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue;
- Acknowledgment of Traditional Territory;
- Collaborating with the national ecumenical organization called KAIROS in their educational and advocacy work towards right relations;
- being intentional in its invitation to Indigenous partners to participate;
- Overseeing and managing the “Manitou Art Collection”.
What Does Right Relations Mean?
Being in Right Relationship ultimately means respecting the Sacredness of all life. We believe this is God’s longing for the earth community, and even for the universe. The focus of Right Relationship-building in the Canadian Shield Regional Council (CSRC) is on learning how to walk with respect as indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.
Photo/Art Credit: Mervin Meekis, Sandy Lake First Nation
The First Official Apology to Indigenous Peoples
At the Thirty-first General Council, held at Laurentian University, in Sudbury, in 1986, Moderator Bob Smith extended an apology on behalf of The United Church of Canada, to Indigenous peoples, in Canada in these words:
The Manitou Art Collection
The spirituality of a people who do not worship in buildings like temples or churches is often not identifiable or understood by others. For Indigenous peoples, the Creation is their context of worship.
RRRT Facebook Page
The Right Relation Resource Team’s (RRRT) goal is to develop, support and nurture just and respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. The RRRT has created an amazing Facebook page with many, MANY Right Relations resources and information.
Minute for Right Relations (M4RR)
The Right Relations Resource Team (RRRT) has made some resources available for people to download and use. These resources are called M4RR – Minute for Right Relations. This initiative was first started by…
National Indigenous Day and Pilgrimage Package
June 21st is National Indigenous Day in Canada where we celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. 2021 marks the 25th Anniversary. The Canadian Shield Regional Council Right Relations Resource Team (RRRT) has teamed up with the Manitou Intentional Learning Community (MILC) to bring you a resource…
Orange Shirt Day
On September 30, people all across Canada will wear orange shirts to remember and honour Indigenous children who were taken from their communities and families to residential schools.
The summer of 2021 was a summer of orange shirts as Indigenous communities across the country shared the truth…
Resources
Right Relations Resource Team Video Library
The RRRT has created a video library resource, click on “read more” below to view them.
Doing Some Reading and Listening?
Here is a Reading List – Fiction, Non- Fiction and articles/websites from Indigenous authors, as well as some listening resources.
Summer Reading List 2023 – [PDF – 4 pages ]
Summer Reading List 2022 – [ PDF – 3 pages ]
Summer Listening List 2022 – [ PDF – 3 pages ]
Staff Support
Melody Duncanson-Hales
Minister, Community of Faith Support
Phone: 1-833-236-0281 Ext. 4
Email: MDuncanson-Hales@united-church.ca
Serves in: Canadian Shield Regional Council
Location: Teleworks from home
Role: Melody provides support for the region by encouraging and connecting communities of faith as they adapt and experiment in changing times.
Contact Melody about: Community Ministries, Congregational Finance, Covenants, Grants, Property, and Transitions - amalgamations, collaboration, closures.
More about Melody...