Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
Kits Church recognizes that Indigenous people in Canada have been, and continue to be, subjected to systemic racism and violence since the time of colonization, and we mourn this shameful truth. We agree with the statement made by our Association, the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada (CBWC), that “The church in Canada has, consciously and unconsciously, supported systemic injustices like the appropriation of land, the forced relocation of Indigenous communities, the creation of the reserve system, and continued economic and political exploitation.”
In 2017, the CBWC passed the following resolution: “That we agree to formally adopt and comply with the principles, norms, and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation.”
In light of this resolution, Kits Church unanimously passed a motion at our AGM in April 2026 to formally repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and commit ourselves to supporting the Indigenous community in Canada. The following is the text of the motion as it was passed:
Preamble:
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada published 94 Calls to Action in 2015, to “redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.” Number 49 states that “We call upon all religious denominations and faith groups who have not already done so to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius.” We would like to answer this call, even though we are late to do so.
Resolved that:
We at Kitsilano Christian Community repudiate all concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples, including the “Doctrine of Discovery” and “terra nullius”. We believe that God made all people in his image (Gen. 1:27) and we denounce racism in all of its forms.
We furthermore commit ourselves to Education, Participation and Invitation in the following areas:
1) We will continue to educate ourselves on issues of Indigenous justice in Canada through books, workshops and invited speakers.
2) We will participate as a congregation in annual events hosted by Indigenous people such as Sept 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
3) We will invite Indigenous leaders to speak to our congregation whenever possible and appropriate.
Please contact Pastor Jennifer if you have further questions or concerns about Kits Church’s involvement with Indigenous issues.