Mennonite Coalition for Indigenous Solidarity
Mennonites have been committed to Indigenous-Settler engagement in a diversity of ways for many years. Rooted in the conviction that we can do greater work if we come together and organize with intentionality, this group has been established as a mutual partnership between Mennonite Church Manitoba and MCC Manitoba, with staff persons representing each organization and contributing the resources of both institutions.
Indigenous peoples are calling all sectors of Canadian society to take concerted, organized action toward reconciliation and right relations. This includes faith communities. Guided by the Creator’s heart for reconciliation, Scripture, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the MCIS will see seek to:
- empower our respective constituencies through education and dialogue that centers on the priorities of Indigenous peoples
- support Indigenous/Settler faith communities through friendship, social gatherings and prayer and nurture alliances to address Indigenous justice concerns
- engage with Mennonites across the diversity of congregations and mobilize for collective action toward our common dream of reconciliation
The mandate of the MCIS:
- Bringing Mennonites into the spiritual and practical work of Indigenous-Settler relations, mobilizing engagement, and calling our leaders & congregations to relationship and action.
- Responding to Indigenous invitations to faith communities and being attentive to calls from the margins
- Honouring Mennonite commitments made to Indigenous communities, such as resolutions previously passed by the General Conference Mennonite Church, Mennonite Central Committee, and Mennonite Church Canada (see Be It Resolved: Anabaptists & Partner Coalitions Advocate for Indigenous Justice, 1966-2020).
- Being a resource to our churches for when, where and how to practically engage in this area and being receptive to learnings, initiatives, and calls to action that arise from within congregations.
- Adding collective strength, grounding and accountability to the work of our institutions (i.e. MCC, MCM, MC Canada) through discernment, guidance and building momentum.
Co-chairs and contact info: Melanie Neufeld and Kerry Saner-Harvey. mcis.manitoba@gmail.com
