Indigenous Peoples Outreach
Walking Together: Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation
The Roman Catholic Church in Canada is committed to walking together with Indigenous Peoples on the journey toward healing, mutual respect, and truth – rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and responsive to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
The History: Facing a Painful Truth
The relationship between the Catholic Church and the Indigenous Peoples of this land spans more than four centuries, beginning with early encounters, cultural exchanges, and mutual ministry. However, this history contains a painful chapter. For over a century, the federal government’s Indian Residential School system sought to systematically marginalize Indigenous peoples and eradicate their heritage, languages, and cultures.
The Catholic Church operated approximately 60% of these residential schools on behalf of the Canadian government. In doing so, Catholic dioceses and religious orders became complicit in a colonial system that forcibly separated children from their families and suppressed their identities. Too many children endured physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual abuse.
This history is acknowledged with profound shame and regret. As Pope Francis expressed during his historic penitential pilgrimage to Canada in 2022, we humbly beg forgiveness for the “deplorable evil” committed by numerous Christians against Indigenous Peoples and for the policies of assimilation that have led to intergenerational trauma for Indigenous Peoples.
Our Purpose: A Renewed Path Forward
The collective purpose of the Church is to transform historical sorrow into concrete, meaningful partnerships built on transparency, respect, humility, and trust. We are guided by several vital goals:
- Prioritizing Survivors and Families: Supporting the ongoing healing of residential school survivors, intergenerational families, and communities.
- Preserving and Rebuilding Truth: Ensuring transparent access to historic diocesan mission, sacramental, and burial records to help Indigenous communities seek facts regarding their ancestors.
- Fostering Cultural Revitalization: Creating spaces where Indigenous languages, traditions, and heritage are celebrated, protected, and integrated into our shared community life.
- Spiritual Dialogue: Engaging in respectful dialogue that honors Indigenous traditions and promotes deep understanding between Catholic teaching and Indigenous spirituality.
The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund in the Diocese of Peterborough
While the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough did not directly operate any residential schools within its boundaries, the Diocese shares the responsibility to participate in historical healing and repair.
To fulfill the $30 million national financial pledge made by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Diocese committed a base of $400,000 to the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF). Thanks to the immense generosity of our parishes, clergy, lay faithful, and partners—including Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada and other Arch/Dioceses —the local Diocesan IRF fund has successfully grown to a total commitment of $902,382.
Cultivating Local, Indigenous-Led Impact
To ensure these funds are distributed meaningfully, the Diocese established a dedicated IRF Local Committee (2023–2028) comprised entirely of local Indigenous leaders and a residential school survivor. This committee reviews project proposals from local First Nations and organizations, guiding the work with Indigenous wisdom.
The fund explicitly supports the Williams Treaties and Robinson-Huron Treaty territories within our borders, directly financing 16 diverse local initiatives. Examples of local outreach include:
- Cultural & Educational Camps: Providing $226,000 to support land-based educational camps and lodges at Trent University’s First Peoples House of Learning and Fleming College.
- Healing & Remembrance: Granting $100,000 for a memorial monument to honour residential school survivors at Curve Lake First Nation, alongside $41,000 for Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) research and columbarium development at Hiawatha First Nation.
- Language & Heritage Revitalization: Supporting community initiatives like a $50,000 traditional canoe build and cultural events at Wasauksing First Nation, and $104,000 toward safety and harvesting initiatives at Alderville First Nation.
- Community Infrastructure & Care: Distributing $130,000 to the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre for community meals and a digital library, and $100,000 for community transit infrastructure at Shawanaga First Nation.
Reconciliation is a continuous path. We invite all the clergy and the faithful of the Diocese of Peterborough to pray, listen, and actively learn alongside our Indigenous neighbors as we strive to walk together in a good way.