Fonds - Aboriginal Rights Coalition fonds

The Aboriginal Rights Coalition (ARC) was established as the result of a year long review by the Canadian churches of their aboriginal justice witness after Project North, ARC's predecessor, ended its twelve years (1975-1987) of service. Aboriginal organisations had requested the direct support of the Anglican, Roman Catholic and United Churches (with other churches joining) as the denominations experienced a growing consciousness about issues of aboriginal rights. The nine founding churches and church bodies accepted ARC's mandate to enable it to commence activities January 1, 1989. This coalition of churches and church bodies works in partnership and alliance with both aboriginal (political) organisations and regional network groups through a programme of education and action. It supports aboriginal peoples in land rights issues and in the economic and political development of aboriginal nations and communities. It acknowledges the historic rights of aboriginal peoples in the Canadian constitution, including the right of self-government and opposes the erosion of their basic social rights and industrial and/or military projects that threaten specific aboriginal communities. It seeks to reconcile aboriginal groups, all levels of the Christian community and Canadian society at large. The organisation consists of a steering committee, the basic decision making body, which meets three times a year, an executive committee which meets almost monthly to work with staff to implement the steering committee's directions and to respond to any emergencies. A national assembly is held every two years and regional assemblies in the intervening years. A national office is located in Ottawa with regional offices, staffed by dedicated volunteers, in various parts of Canada.