Emotional Aboriginal Apology

A panel of perhaps 30 or more people, from both the Aboriginal community and the PAOC (Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada), stood on stage in front of hundreds of conference delegates, and tearfully exchanged apologies.

The importance of acknowledging the impact of the abuse so many Aboriginals suffered while attending Indian residential schools is paramount. That's exactly what this aboriginal apology did. It's one of the necessary components of truth and reconciliation that will bring healing to relationships.

This unity will help to move us forward with hope, and a common future where we recognize our Aboriginal friends as a vital part of our communities. They will be enabled to come into wholeness and personal fulfillment. It's a powerful step forward to righting many wrongs that have contributed to native issues for far too long.

The Aboriginal Apology Letter

With permission, I share the PAOC Aboriginal apology and the Aboriginal response, as follows:

Letter of Apology, Forgiveness and Reconciliation between The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and its Aboriginal leadership
Wednesday, May 9, 2012

We, as the leadership of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) have a deep desire to be in right relationship with our Aboriginal ministries leadership and Aboriginal community serving the Lord together with mutual love and respect. We do recognize the many brothers and sisters, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, who have gone before us and served the Lord and one another with integrity and esteem.

However, we in the PAOC must recognize that we have not always as a fellowship been a true representation of the unified body of Christ marked by grace and respect. We acknowledge that there have been times when we were insensitive to the pain and suffering of the Aboriginal community. We are sorry and regret this insensitivity.

For the purpose of reconciliation and to strengthen our mutual relationship, PAOC leadership apologizes and asks forgiveness of our Aboriginal leadership:


• For attitudes and actions that have demonstrated discrimination and insensitivity


• For not entrusting with responsibility when appropriate


• For derogatory words that have been spoken


• For sins of silence and omission when our voice should have been raised and ministry and healing offered


• For our failure to address the hurt and harmful practices within residential schools.


Our desire as Pentecostal leadership is to be in right relationship with our Aboriginal community and demonstrate a mutual commitment:


• To prepare a next generation of leaders who will fulfill the Great Command, the Great Requirement and Great Commission together


• To honour our diversity


• To Share in vision and ministry development together


• To promote equality in our relationship as we move forward.

The Aboriginal Response to PAOC Leadership

We, as the Aboriginal Ministries Guiding Group of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) also share a deep desire with the leadership of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada to be a true representation of the unified body of Christ.

For the purpose of reconciliation and a healthy unified relationship, the Aboriginal Ministries Guiding Group of the PAOC accepts the apology and extends forgiveness...


(Each point of the PAOC apology was listed individually and specifically recognized. The Aboriginal apology was two sided, however, and the rest of the letter unfolds below.)

We also recognize that at times we have fallen short and apologize and ask forgiveness:


• For attitudes and actions that have demonstrated discrimination and insensitivity


• For derogatory words that have been spoken


• For avoiding our responsibility in sharing our voice.


Our desire for a healthy unified relationship with the PAOC and Aboriginal community is demonstrated by a commitment:


• To bring healing to the Aboriginal community through the Gospel of Jesus Christ


• To prepare a next generation of leaders who will fulfill the Great Command, the Great Requirement and Great Commission together


• To honour our diversity


• To share in vision and ministry development together


• To promote equality in our relationship as we move forward.





"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:18,19




For God's glory we mutually make these commitments to one another.



The letter is signed by both the PAOC General Superintendent and the Aboriginal Guiding Group Representative



Submitted by: Jill Carty, Founder, The Julia Project Fdn




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