Link to indigenous peoples

Peter Novecosky, OSB

For many Canadians, the history between the church and the Aboriginal community in Canada is defined by the residential schools which were often run by church institutions.

That legacy is being laid open by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that was appointed by the federal government in 2008 following the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. The commission is holding hearings across the country to give former students a chance to talk about what they went through at the government-funded schools. In Saskatchewan the hearings began in Regina in mid-January and will continue in 11 more, mainly Aboriginal, communities in the province. A national event — the third one — will be held in Saskatoon from June 21 - 24.

However, the relationship between the Catholic Church in Canada and the Aboriginal community has a much broader foundation and history than the stories of cultural assimilation or abuse that have dominated much of the recent discussion in the media — important as it is to uncover these dark misdeeds of the past.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) recently launched a new webpage which outlines the history and multiple links between the Catholic Church and indigenous peoples. As described on the CCCB website, the new webpage “is to serve as a reference tool to recall the common history and enduring traditions shared by the church and indigenous peoples, and to highlight what is currently being done on a pastoral level among indigenous peoples in each of the four major pastoral regions of Canada.”

This history began with the arrival of the first Europeans and the baptism of Chief Membertou, grand chief of the Mi’kmaq, in Port Royal in 1610. In 1537 Pope Paul III issued a papal bull against the enslavement of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. The texts of Pope John Paul II’s talks during his 1984 and 1987 apostolic visits to Canada, and Pope Benedict XVI’s 2009 meeting with Aboriginal and church leaders in Rome are all available on the webpage.

Also referenced is a series of CCCB statements and Canadian church initiatives implemented on behalf of indigenous peoples since 1969. The first is a Nov. 28, 1969 statement to the Government of Canada pledging support and co-operation for Native land claims and other rights. The list continues with more than five dozen texts and events supporting indigenous peoples.

One of these CCCB texts, issued in 1995, was entitled Let Justice Flow Like a Mighty River. It says, “In the encounter between the non-Natives and Aboriginal Peoples, much was gained and lost. The missionaries lived among the Aboriginal Peoples, sharing their lives, their joys and their pains and helping to teach and heal. Many missionaries made significant contributions to the retention and revitalization of these same cultures and languages. There is much in the historical relationship between the Catholic Church and Aboriginal Peoples to celebrate and build on. However, we are currently very aware of what was lost and this is of great concern to us.”

The webpage includes a history of the Indian residential schools, a page on Returning to Spirit (a healing and reconciliation initiative that has proved most effective in empowering former school residents), a CCCB-sponsored art collection and a number of other items of interest.

At a time when all Canadians are working toward coming to terms with the injustices of the residential school legacy and seeking new pathways toward healing, this webpage should prove to be a valuable initiative by the CCCB. It can be accessed at: http://www.cccb.ca/site/eng/church-in-canada-and-world/catholic-church-in-canada/indigenous-peoples.

Hopefully, a thoughtful and ongoing review of our history, including past injustices and differences, will give a more complete, indepth picture of our common heritage. Actions following our words will do the same.