Carmen Lansdowne

Lansdowne was the only nomination to be 44th moderator,^[3] and was elected at the 44th General Council of the church in July 2022, the processes of the United Church having no option for acclamation. She was the first Indigenous woman chosen to be moderator,^[3] and only the second Indigenous person, the first being Stan McKay in 1992.^[3] Her election, Lansdowne said, spoke to "the time in which we live, as Canadians become more educated and aware of the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as well as the several hundred recommendations from the final report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People and the calls to justice from the National Inquiry on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls. These are all catalysts, alongside the confirmation of unmarked graves at residential schools, for the need for deeper dialogue and learning about a relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians."^[4]

At the start of her term, Lansdowne said she planned "To build new connections and rebuild old ones. To work towards social change that sees a world cared for, and human dignity honoured. To walk together every day in repentance and reconciliation. To march and fight and change unjust systems together. To pray together. To sing together. To discern together."^[5]

Following the end of her term as moderator, Lansdowne became an assistant professor of United Church of Canada Studies at Emmanuel College, Toronto.^[6]