Mr. James Lunney, the MP for Nanaimo ­Alberni, took the opportunity on National Aboriginal Day to stand up in Parliament and commend the special meetings going on that were hosted by Gathering Nations International. By doing so this summit was formally recorded in the official permanent record of our Parliament.

Here's the text of his speech, used with his gracious permission.

"Mr. Speaker, today marks Canada's 10th National Aboriginal Day. From sea to sea, from north to south, many celebrations are underway.

Right here in the nation's capital, there is a gathering of some 300 First Nations, Inuit and Métis, pastors, leaders and community members. The First People's Summit is an assembly of leaders who desire to see the spiritual well-being and the moral integrity of Canada preserved, enhanced and promoted.

These original and host people are praying for and working quietly with determination to see progress in biblically based reconciliation. Their desire is to see healing and unity in Canada between all people, nations, churches and governments, and to cultivate true peace and prosperity throughout our land.

Today representatives from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities will sign a historic document entitled the ?Covenant of the First Peoples of Canada.?

Inscribed on the Peace Tower are the words, ?Where there is no vision, the people perish.?

I wish to draw this event to the attention of all members and commend the participants in this historic gathering for their vision and commitment to bring blessing, reconciliation and spiritual renewal to Canada. It is National Aboriginal Day. We have a reason to celebrate."

It was an overflow crowd that worshipped on National Aboriginal Day, June 21st in Ottawa, as the historic First People's Covenant was signed. Even though it was well past midnight before the evening was over, there was great joy and the chatter of new friendships as folks spilled out into the night air.

We had the great privilege of being presented with an original copy of the covenant, complete with all the signatures, already framed, that we will now position in a place of honour on the walls of our centre.

Below are some of the solemn words that First Nations, Inuit and Metis spoke to one another. The full document is available on the website below.

NOW, THEREFORE, the First Peoples of Canada having met in a Sacred Convocation of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis pastors, leaders, and community members in Ottawa, Canada DECLARE:

Article 1. The First Peoples of Canada hereby affirm to respect, recognize and honour our identity as diverse peoples; and in solidarity to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and to bless Israel in accordance to the Word of the living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Article 2. The First Peoples of Canada, as a healed, restored and released people, hereby affirm to co- exist and co-labour as partners in transformation with one another and with the Church in Canada, nations and governments. We will walk together in peace, prosperity and freedom. We commit to the restoration, advancement and promotion of the moral and spiritual and political integrity of our society, and the release for all from a negative past. We declare healing for our land and revival in Canada; and Canada will be a banner of healing for all nations worldwide.

Article 3. The First Peoples of Canada hereby affirm to strengthen these bonds of love, mutual respect, honor, integrity, and cooperation. Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, as friends and allies, we will move forward in wisdom to exercise our spiritually guided governmental authority in concert with other peoples, nations, the greater Christian community, and governments in our regions. We present ourselves as nations under God.

Article 4. The First Peoples of Canada hereby affirm to inform, pray, assist and support each other in the spiritual, social, economic and political development of our peoples and to achieve our common vision to see the advancement of our peoples and Canada within the Kingdom of God.

The Conservative government introduced a bill this week that would raise the age of sexual consent by two years to 16. If passed, the new law would mean most adults who have sex with girls or boys aged 14 or 15 could face criminal charges. "Adults who sexually prey upon young people are the targets of these reforms, not consenting teenagers," said Justice Minister Vic Toews, who said the bill will rename the Age of Consent law to the Age of Protection law.

We believe this new legislation warrants your prayers. It is an encouragement that the moral fibre of our society is being strengthened.

Just about a year ago a gathering of intercessors in British Columbia centred on the issue of repentance to the Chinese immigrants who did so much to create Canadian society, but were so greatly discriminated against over many years.

Yesterday's official apology by our Prime Minister was a wonderful fulfillment of many years of intercession. Rob and Fran accompanied a couple of ancestors, and joined a gallery full of Chinese family members. There was much emotion and many tears as they listened to PM Stephen Harper's heartfelt words as he stated ...

"The Government of Canada recognizes the stigma and exclusion experienced by the Chinese as a result. We acknowledge the high cost of the head tax meant that many family members were left behind in China, never to be reunited, or that families lived apart and in some cases in extreme poverty for years. We also recognize that our failure to truly acknowledge these historical injustices has prevented many in the community from seeing themselves as fully Canadian.

Therefore, on behalf of all Canadians and the Government of Canada, we offer a full apology to Chinese Canadians for the head tax and express our deepest sorrow for the subsequent exclusion of Chinese immigrants."

Let's continue to pray for the full healing of this national wound as our government walks out the repentance with appropriate actions.

1. Pray for your MP that they would truly get a rest and be refreshed during the summer recess. Let's pray that they would have quality time with their families after the long separation they have experienced, so that their marriages and homes would stay healthy.

2. Pray for the ongoing impact of the First Peoples' covenant, as leaders seek to extend the influence of what they have signed and agreed about together. Let's continue to uphold this move of God in prayer as our First Peoples take their proper leading role in our nation.

3. Let's pray that believers all across the nation would be motivated to engage in the moral challenges of our nation that are paramount at this time. Pray especially about the same-sex marriage issue, that the summer would not create complacency in believers' hearts.

A separate announcement will soon be coming to you about an Israel Prayer Tour that we are sponsoring during the Feast of the Tabernacles. Maybe you have been waiting for some like-hearted folks to travel with when you go to the Holy Land.

Representing you in Ottawa,

Rob, Fran, Richard and the team at NHOP

email: info@nhop.ca

phone: 613-789-4907

web: http://www.nhop.ca