The Diocese recognizes the profound harm to Indigenous Nations and communities through the Church’s participation in colonialism and the Residential School system. The Reconciliation Land Tithe granting body is committed to providing redress and restitution to the ongoing legacy of Christian colonialism.
We are committed to meaningfully addressing our historic privilege and the imbalance of power by developing relational responsibilities and practices with Indigenous Nations and communities, that our Church might be transformed and “bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 5:8).
The work of restitution and the redistribution of wealth held by the Diocese is not only about reckoning with our role in colonialism and the displacement of Indigenous Peoples, but also informs us of a pathway to a more just future. The principles for a new relationship and a path for restitution are outlined extensively in reports created by Indigenous Peoples, including the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The Reconciliation Land Tithe committee and the Bishop’s Collaborative for Right Relations support the Right Relations Coordinator and the whole Diocese in understanding and implementing our responsibilities outlined in these reports by Survivors and Indigenous leadership.
A spirit of change
In 2021, Bishop Andrew Asbil wrote a letter to the Diocese about a motion coming before Synod that called for the establishment of a Reconciliation Land Tithe:
“This motion is born out of what many feel is the stirring of the Holy Spirit in our Church: a call to tithe to Indigenous communities 10% of funds from the sale of diocesan real estate. This motion provides an opportunity for our Diocese to commit to Call to Action #61 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission:
‘We call upon Church parties to the Settlement Agreement, in collaboration with Survivors and representatives of Aboriginal organizations, to establish permanent funding to Aboriginal people for:
- Community-controlled healing and reconciliation projects,
- Community-controlled culture and language revitalization projects,
- Community-controlled education and relationship building projects,
- Regional dialogues for Indigenous spiritual leaders and youth to discuss Indigenous spirituality, self-determination, and reconciliation.’
An ongoing commitment of a 10% tithe from the MAF would be a tangible step towards restoring the treaty relationship between the Diocese and Indigenous peoples. … We are also reconsidering and acknowledging the Land on which we reside. There are many theological, historical, cultural and moral questions to ponder when we reflect on the concept of ‘property.’ Motion 12 makes a first attempt at regularizing the sale of our ‘property’ by committing to prioritize a cumulative tithe to the work of reconciliation.”
– November 2021
Reconciliation Land Tithe
The Reconciliation Land Tithe is a practical expression of restitution for land dispossession and redistribution of wealth, but it’s also an expression of a deeper movement for recognizing Indigenous sovereignty and repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery.
The theological and ethical reflections of our history on this land, our relationship with Indigenous Nations as a Church, and our sacred obligations to the 94 Calls to Action can provide a new vision and framework for principles for the relationship between the Diocese of Toronto and Indigenous Nations and communities.
Applying for the land tithe
Applicants and projects must be Indigenous-led. Projects and proposals don’t need to be connected in any way to the Anglican Church or Christian faith. Grants for both ongoing and emerging projects will be considered.
There are two granting cycles each year, one in the fall and one in the spring.