Truth & Reconciliation

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Canadian Constitution recognizes these three groups as Aboriginal peoples, also known as Indigenous peoples.

Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

In cooperation with Indigenous organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21, the summer solstice, for National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day. For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.

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On February 8 the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued four pastoral letters "That we May Walk Together" on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Intended as a framework for local engagement with Indigenous Peoples, the letters are the fruit of many months of listening, encounter, and dialogue with them, including through Listening Circles, the Indigenous Delegation to the Vatican in April 2022, and Pope Francis’ Apostolic Voyage to Canada in July. 

The letters (in English and French) are posted on the diocesan website at this link. There is a separate letter for each of:
The People of God in Canada
First Nations
The Métis
The Intuit in Canada

This is a challenging and truthful documentary by the Anglican Church of Canada as one of the responses of the Anglican Church’s Primate’s Commission on Discovery, Reconciliation and Justice.  The purpose of this film is to respond to the calls to action by helping provide education and insight to the history of colonization, the Doctrine of Destiny and the past and present sufferings of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada.  This documentary will help each of us understand so much better the need for reconciliation and healing in Canada.  (106 minutes)

The Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes recently held two sessions to view the documentary.  If you missed those, you can view it on Youtube through The Anglican Church of Canada channel.

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Recognizing this day is important in the process of reconciliation. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived residential schools and remembers those who did not. Information on the origin of this day can be found at www.orangeshirtday.org.  On September 30, we encourage all parishioners to wear orange to raise awareness of the tragic legacy of residential schools, to honour Survivors and to promote relationships of friendship and deep respect.

Pope Francis visited Canada from July 24 to 29, 2022.  This visit provided a unique opportunity for him to listen and dialogue with Indigenous Peoples helping us as the Catholic Church in Canada and the country to seek truth, healing and friendship.  The theme of the visit was entitled “WALKING TOGETHER”.  To learn more about his visit, go to www.papalvisit.ca. 
 

WALKING TOGETHER DOCUMENTARY
If you wish to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation before these events take place, Walking Together is a Salt + Light Media original documentary about Canada’s residential schools, the ongoing process of reconciliation which led to Pope Francis’ apology in 2022, and the long road ahead for healing and reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Indigenous Peoples of Canada.  It can be viewed here.

The Kent Lambton Roman Catholic Family of Parishes hosted a presentation with Fr. Henry Sands at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Wallaceburg on Sunday July 17, 2022.  Fr. Henry is originally from Walpole Island First Nation.  He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit and is currently serving in Washington, D.C. as the Director of the Office of Black and Indian Affairs for the U.S. Bishops.  Fr. Henry was part of the Indigenous delegation who went to Rome recently to meet with Pope Francis.
The presentation can be viewed on Youtube by clicking this link.
 
 

May 13, 2022 – The Vatican formally announced that Pope Francis will travel to Canada from July 24-29, 2022. The historic visit, focused on Indigenous healing and reconciliation, will be the fourth papal journey to Canada and the first since Saint John Paul II’s visit in 2002.

Bishop Raymond Poisson, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) welcomed the formal confirmation of the visit on behalf of Canada’s Catholic Bishops: “We are immensely grateful that the Holy Father has accepted our invitation to continue the journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples of this land. In late July, Pope Francis will have the opportunity to visit Indigenous Peoples here in their homeland, as he promised when he met them recently in Rome. We pray for the health of the Holy Father as we undertake the intensive planning for this historic visit.”

On April 1, 2022, Pope Francis apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system. The Holy Father expressed “sorrow and shame” for the abuse and lack of respect for Indigenous identities, culture and spiritual values in the residential school system.

The Holy Father’s apology was informed by private encounters between March 28th and April 1st with 32 Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, residential school survivors and youth representing the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Métis National Council (MNC), and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK).

Given the vast landscape of Canada, the limited time period for the visit and considering the health of the 85 year old Pontiff, the Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will adopt only three communities as a base for his Canadian visit: Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit. The locations will limit travel for the Holy Father while still allowing an opportunity for both intimate and public encounters, drawing on participation from all regions of the country.

Edmonton is home to the second largest number of Indigenous Peoples living in urban Canadian centres. In addition, 25 residential schools were located in Alberta, the most of any province or territory in Canada.

Iqaluit, with close to 8,000 people, is home to the highest population of Inuit (3,900) of all Canadian cities with more than 5,000 people. Pope Francis was personally invited by Inuit delegates to visit the North during their meetings in March.

Quebec City provides an eastern hub for those who may wish to travel to see Pope Francis, especially Indigenous Peoples of the East. The region is also home to Ste. Anne-de-Beaupré, one of the oldest and most popular pilgrimage sites in North America, drawing Indigenous Peoples and others from throughout Canada and around the world each year.

While dates and general locations have been confirmed by the Vatican, specific sites and a formal program will be developed in dialogue with Indigenous partners at the local and national level. Given the focus on Indigenous healing and reconciliation, the Holy Father is expected to visit the site of a former residential school and other locations of particular significance.

Typically, six to eight weeks prior to a papal visit, a full program and itinerary are released by the Vatican. At that time, the public will have an opportunity to learn more about how they may participate in the numerous events and related activity for the papal visit, along with volunteer opportunities and other relevant details.

The CCCB has appointed Archbishop Richard Smith as General Co-ordinator for the Papal Visit, to guide this immense undertaking on behalf of the Canadian Bishops. As Archbishop of Edmonton, the Archbishop also accompanied Indigenous delegates to the Vatican earlier this year and has long-standing relationships with Indigenous leaders.

Archbishop Smith commented on the appointment: “I am humbled to serve as General Co-ordinator for this historic visit from Pope Francis. I look forward to working with Indigenous Peoples from across this land, as well as local, provincial and federal partners, as we prepare to welcome the Holy Father and continue to walk together on this important healing and reconciliation journey.”

Those interested in learning more about the Papal Visit to Canada can find the latest updates at: www.papalvisit.ca.

Click here to read the announcement by the Canadian Bishops.