Rev. Cari received the question, “Why do Crossroads leaders use language like “stolen land” and “genocide” in the opening of our service? How does this language contribute to Reconciliation?”

This sermon is her effort to clearly explain the choices that we have made at Crossroads regarding Indigenous justice, and to place those decisions in the context of the Reconciliation work of The United Church of Canada.

In the sermon she makes reference to the Apologies of The United Church of Canada, and comments of former Moderators, as well as a 2018 publication of the Assembly of First Nations on the Doctrine of Discovery and a CBC news story quoting comments of Pope Francis as well as the action of the Federal Government re: genocide.

She said several times during the sermon that this is a complex question. If you are a person of faith who has been unclear on issues of Indigenous justice in Canada, then maybe you are called to listen to this sermon.