Honouring the Declaration provides academic resources to help The United Church of Canada and other Canadian denominations enact their commitment to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and offers a framework for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Featuring essays from scholars working from a range of disciplines, including religious studies, Indigenous legal studies, Christian theology and ethics, Biblical studies, Indigenous educational leadership within the United Church, and social activism, the collection includes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices, all of whom respond meaningfully to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.

The texts explore some of the challenges that accepting the UN Declaration as a framework poses to the United Church and other Canadian denominations, and provides academic reflection on how these challenges can be met. These reflections include concrete proposals for steps that Canadian denominations and their seminaries need to take in light of their commitment to the Declaration, a study of a past attempt of the United Church to be in solidarity with Indigenous peoples, and discussions of ethical concepts and theological doctrines that can empower and guide the church in living out this commitment.

Don Schweitzer was ordained in The United Church of Canada in 1982 and settled at Turtle River Larger Parish in Saskatchewan Conference northwest of North Battleford, Saskatchewan. In 1987 he left to pursue doctoral studies in theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. In 1991 he was settled along with Leslie Schweitzer (née Goodwin) at Wesley United Church in Prince Albert. He and Leslie have two sons, Simon and Ian. Since 2000 he has taught theology at St. Andrew’s College in Saskatoon. Don Schweitzer is a past president of the Canadian Theological Society. He is co-editor with Derek Simon of Intersecting Voices: Critical Theologies in a Land of Diversity (2004) and the author of Contemporary Christologies (2010).

Don Schweitzer's profile page

Dr. Paul Gareau is a Métis citizen from Bellevue near Batoche, Saskatchewan. He is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Native Studies and the academic lead for the Indigenous Canada MOOC. His research and teaching centres on theory and methodology around religion and relationality, gender, Indigenous epistemologies, land and place, and sovereignty/peoplehood.

Paul L. Gareau's profile page

“[A] truly seminal work among the schools of theology in Canada.” —Michel Andraos, Dean of Theology, Université Saint-Paul and editor of The Church and Indigenous Peoples in the Americas

"An excellent source for Christians and others seeking an understanding of UNDRIP and guidance in reconciliation.” —Mark Ruml, Professor, Religion & Culture Department, Indigenous Spirituality, Culture, & History, Chair, Indigenous Course Requirement Committee, University of Winnipeg

“Honouring the Declaration is an invaluable resource as all peoples in Canada work towards greater harmony by implementing the UNDRIP.” —Rev. Dr. Raymond C. Aldred, Director, Indigenous Studies Program, Vancouver School of Theology

“Bringing together Indigenous and settler scholars and theologians to assess the significance of UNDRIP, this impressive volume represents a major contribution to the shared goal of reconciliation.” —Jane Barter, Professor, Department of Religion and Culture, University of Winnipeg, and author of Thinking Christ: Christology and Contemporary Critics