Truth and Reconciliation
The work of reconciliation is a journey and it takes both commitment and action.
Walking the Path of Truth and Reconciliation: Catholic Commitment
Fulfilling the TRC Calls to Action
Call to Action #58: The Penitential Papal Pilgrimage
Call to Action #59: Educating the Faithful
The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF)
- Healing and reconciliation for communities and families
- Culture and language revitalization
- Education and community building
- Dialogues promoting Indigenous spirituality and culture
Local Impact: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough
The Local IRF Commitment
- Cultural events and historical monuments at Curve Lake First Nation and Wasauksing First Nation
- Preservation work and land-based safety programs at Alderville First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation
- Land camps, lodges, and digital libraries at Trent University, Fleming College, and the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre
Prayer Celebrations and Spiritual Healing
How You Can Support the Journey
| Opportunity | Actions You Can Take |
|---|---|
| Educate Yourself | Participate in workshops, study the TRC Calls to Action, and engage with the parish educational materials regarding Indigenous life, history, and spirituality. |
| Give Generously | Donate to the Diocese of Peterborough IRF appeal to keep locally-discerned, Indigenous-led projects funded. |
| Pray in Solidarity | Integrate the Truth and Reconciliation healing prayers into your personal intentions and join communal parish prayer celebrations dedicated to journeying with Indigenous Peoples. |
| Build Community | Support local Indigenous vendors, attend community dialogues, and respect the land stewardship traditions of local nations. Go to a Pow Wow and other Indigenous events on the reserves in this area. |
Indigenous Reconciliation Fund
As part of the Church’s ongoing journey of reconciliation, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops announced a financial commitment in the amount of $30 million dollars to support healing, knowledge sharing, and community building initiatives for residential school survivors, their families, and their communities. Each Diocese across Canada has pledged a sum of money to ensure that the national financial commitment will be met. The funds will be overseen by a local committee comprised of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (“FNMI”) representation in collaboration with a National IRF Board of Directors. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough pledged the sum of $400 000.
Donate now!
To learn more about the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund administered by the Diocese of Peterborough, please visit our IRF page.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
About the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
About the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the largest class-action settlement in Canadian history, began to be implemented in 2007. One of the elements of the agreement was the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada to facilitate reconciliation among former students, their families, their communities and all Canadians.
The official mandate (PDF) of the TRC is found in Schedule “N” of the Settlement Agreement which includes the principles that guided the commission in its important work.
Between 2007 and 2015, the Government of Canada provided about $72 million to support the TRC‘s work. The TRC spent 6 years travelling to all parts of Canada and heard from more than 6,500 witnesses. The TRC also hosted 7 national events across Canada to engage the Canadian public, educate people about the history and legacy of the residential schools system, and share and honour the experiences of former students and their families.
The TRC created a historical record of the residential schools system. As part of this process, the Government of Canada provided over 5 million records to the TRC. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba now houses all of the documents collected by the TRC.
In June 2015, the TRC held its closing event in Ottawa and presented the executive summary of the findings contained in its multi-volume final report, including 94 “calls to action” (or recommendations) to further reconciliation between Canadians and Indigenous Peoples.
In December 2015, the TRC released its entire 6-volume final report. All Canadians are encouraged to read the summary or the final report to learn more about the terrible history of Indian Residential Schools and its sad legacy.
To read the reports, please visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report is a testament to the courage of each and every Survivor and family member who shared their story.
As part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accepted the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on behalf of Canada.
The Government of Canada continues to be committed to a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. The Government of Canada will work closely with provinces, territories, First Nations, the Métis Nation, Inuit groups and church entities to implement recommendations of the TRC and further reconciliation to the benefit of all Canadians. This will include the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Government of Canada also recognizes that true reconciliation goes beyond the scope of the commission’s recommendations. The Prime Minister announced that Canada will work with leaders of First Nations, the Métis Nation, Inuit, provinces and territories, parties to the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, and other key partners, to design a national engagement strategy for developing and implementing a national reconciliation framework, informed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations.
As an important step in rebuilding Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, the Prime Minister of Canada met with leaders of the National Indigenous Organizations on December 16, 2015, in Ottawa to continue the dialogue on reconciliation. At that meeting, the Prime Minister committed to National Indigenous Organizations that he would meet with them annually in order to sustain and advance progress on shared priorities.
Videos
Videos
Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action – Learning and Prayer Guide
Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action – Learning and Prayer Guide
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation – University of Manitoba
Website – click HERE.
MORE INFORMATION
Indigenous Reconciliation Fund
Bishop Miehm’s Letter about the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, May 16, 2022
“I have a question that is not answered on this resource.” Here is my question – send email.
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CCCB Media Release- Announcement, January 28, 2022
Delegation to the Holy See, March, 2022
A Journey toward Healing and Reconciliation, March/April 2022
Prayer for Healing and Reconciliation
Pope Francis accepts the CCCB invitation to come to Canada
Announcement of the Delegation to the Holy See
CCCB Financial Pledge
Canadian Bishops Announce $30M National Financial Pledge to Support Healing and Reconciliation Initiatives
Canada’s Bishops Announce Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, January 28, 2022
Doctrine of Discovery
On March 30, 2023, the Dicastery for Culture and Education and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development published a Joint Statement repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery. His Holiness Pope Francis has urged that “Never again can the Christian community allow itself to be infected by the idea that one culture is superior to others, or that it is legitimate to employ ways of coercing others.”
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued its own statement to accompany the Joint Statement from the two Discastries.
The links to both Statements are found below.
- Joint Statement of the Dicasteries for Culture and Education and for Promoting Integral Human Development on the “Doctrine of Discovery”, March 30, 2023. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2023/03/30/0238/00515.html
- Statement by the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Joint Statement of the Dicastery for Culture and Education and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on the “Doctrine of Discovery” https://www.cccb.ca/letter/statement-by-the-permanent-council-of-the-canadian-conference-of-catholic-bishops-on-the-joint-statement-of-the-dicastery-for-culture-and-education-and-the-dicastery-for-promoting-integral-human-deve/
Catholic Response to the Doctrine of Discovery, March 19, 2016
CCCB Apology to Indigenous Peoples
Statement of Apology by the Catholic Bishops of Canada to the Indigenous Peoples of This Land
Residential Schools
Background Information for Catholics about Residential SchoolsOur Lady of Guadalupe Circle
Our Lady of Guadalupe CircleCCCB Articles and Interviews
Interview with Most Rev. Bishop Bolen
CCCB Letter to Indigenous Peoples, March, 2018
Interview with Archbishop Richard Gagnon, Vice President, CCCB
Land Acknowledgement
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
NOTE: A land acknowledgement recognizes the traditional lands of Indigenous peoples and is an appropriate way to show respect to Indigenous people of the region, their ancestors, and communities. Here are two versions of the Land Acknowledgement for use in the Diocese of Peterborough. Use one of them. Additionally, you may consider making connections with the Indigenous peoples in your parish area to localize the references more specifically or to use a land acknowledgement they offer to you.
VERSION 1
We respectfully acknowledge that we are on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishnaabeg.
We offer our gratitude to the First Nations for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations.
May we honour those teachings.
(Taken from MICHI SAAGIIG Protocol Guide Book, First Peoples’ House of Learning, Trent University)
VERSION 2
We acknowledge that the Williams Treaty and the Robinson-Huron Treaty territory on which we stand is the ancestral home of the Indigenous peoples of Mississauga Anishnaabeg and is a common home to everyone by virtue of God our Creator’s gracious gift.
(Adapted from the Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops)
Resources
Indigenous Protocol Guidebook, First Peoples House of Learning, Trent University, 2023
Michi Saagiig, Protocol Guide Book, First Peoples House of Learning, Trent University, 2019
Catholic Response to Call to Action 48, March 19, 2016
September 30th – Let us Pray
Prayers of the Faithful
- For Indigenous Peoples and Survivors
For all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, especially the survivors and intergenerational survivors of residential schools, that they may experience God’s healing grace, deep comfort, and renewed strength in their communities, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer. - For Healing and Accountability in the Church
For our Church—Pope Leo XIV, our bishops, clergy, and all the faithful—that we may humbly acknowledge the past and walk side-by-side with Indigenous communities in genuine reconciliation and justice, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer. - For Leaders and Lasting Peace
For our government leaders and all those in positions of authority, that they may be granted wisdom, empathy, and integrity to enact meaningful change, honor treaties, and foster a society built on mutual respect and peace, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.