The Very Rev. Stan McKay—former Moderator, Indigenous Elder, wisdom keeper and leader—is keynote speaker.
Forty years ago, the Right Rev. Bob Smith, then Moderator of The United Church of Canada, offered an apology to Indigenous peoples.
“We imposed our civilization as a condition of accepting the gospel,” the late Very Rev. Smith then wrote. “We ask you to forgive us, and to walk together with us in the Spirit of Christ, so that our peoples maybe blessed and God’s creation healed.” The Very Rev. Smith is shown above with the late Elder Alberta Billy, who challenged the church in 1985 to apologize for its role in colonization and the suppression of Indigenous languages, cultures, and spirituality.
Along with the Church’s apology, in 1988, a cairn built by volunteers from the former Manitou conference, under the leadership of Elder, the late Art Solomon, was installed in the parking lot at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario. Manitou Conference and then Canadian Shield Regional Council have been caretakers of the cairn ever since.
On August 15, in one more step in the journey towards healing and reconciliation, Canadian Shield Regional Council will honour the apology milestone and its impact for the future.
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Time: 10:30 am to 1:30 pm ET
Location: Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury (MAP)
The commemoration will be a day of meaningful reflection, community, and renewal, featuring The Very Rev. Stan McKay, 34th Moderator, as keynote speaker. An Indigenous Elder, wisdom keeper, and leader, The Very Rev. Stan McKay will offer his personal insight and reflections on the journey since the 1986 Apology.
What to expect:
- Sacred fire and drumming: Grounding our hearts and minds in community and tradition.
- Personal stories: Hearing reflections on the impact of the apology and the path forward.
- Community lunch: Sharing food and fellowship together.
- Pilgrimage to the Apology Cairn: Concluding our time together with a meaningful walk of remembrance and commitment to the Apology Cairn.
All are welcome to join, whether having walked the path of reconciliation for decades or whether just beginning the journey. The event is free to attend, but registration preferred to help with food and beverage quantities, but not required, by Monday, August 10, 2026.