Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential...
“Orange Shirt Day” brings the commemoration of the tragedy of Indian Residential Schools in Canada forward every September 30th. Phyllis Webstad’s story recounts how her treasured orange shirt was taken from her on her very first day of residential school – illustrating a child’s memory...
Une version française suit le texte anglais. DOWNLOAD PDF VERSION HERE We, the co-chairs of Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle, on behalf of the Circle, encourage the Catholic community and all people in Canada to answer the call of Elders and Knowledge Carriers across the land to...
A new six-part series explores the history of the First Nations peoples of Canada and aims to provide a path forward for Truth and Reconciliation in the country. Understanding Indigenous History: A Path Forward, produced by University Canada West, is hosted by award-winning Canadian broadcast journalist...
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate join people across Turtle Island in observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and reflecting on the tragic and ongoing suffering brought about by Canada’s residential school system. As Oblates, we recognize and repent for the central role our...
Pictured left: Several hundred people took part in a march to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in North Vancouver on Sept. 30, 2022. Photo by Jason Payne Here are some of the ways Metro Vancouver residents can reflect on the day to honour...
Events planned in cities, communities and campuses Saturday marks the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It's a day set aside to remember the children who died while being forced to attend church-run and government-funded residential schools, those who survived and the families and communities still struggling with...
Pictured left: Elmer Waniandy wears both an orange and red piece of cloth on his shirt to symbolize the Indigenous children forced to attend and assimilate into residential schools as well as solidarity with the missing and murdered Indigenous women while at a rededication ceremony...
If Canada’s bishops are setting an agenda in their letters to Indigenous Canadians, that agenda needs more detail, Catholic Indigenous leaders told The Catholic Register. Deacon Harry Lafond of the Muskeg Cree First Nation believes the language the bishops employ in the letters is too general. “They’re skirting...
DOWNLOAD PDF VERSION HERE July 25, 2022, OTTAWA – In response to Pope Francis’ arrival on Canadian soil yesterday morning, Fr. Ken Thorson and Fr. Luc Tardif, Oblate Provincial of the two provinces which operated 48 Residential Schools, issued the following statement on behalf of OMI...
Pictured left: Women from Canada's First Nations gesture in St. Peter's Square after an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican in this April 1, 2022, file photo. (CNS photo/Yara Nardi, Reuters) By Colleen Dulle Published on the America Magazine website Pope Francis’ highly anticipated visit to Canada...
[vc_video link='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5oAPl_NR2QA'] From the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis' concluding audience with participants in the Meeting "Indigenous Peoples and the Church: Walking together toward healing and reconciliation" ROME— Pope Francis on Friday made a historic apology to Indigenous Peoples for the “deplorable” abuses they suffered in Canada’s Catholic-run...
Some of the Indigenous delegates travelled to Assisi on a pilgrimage of sorts to the birthplace of St. Francis. The theme of walking has been very much front and center today, "Walking Together". The pilgrimage began with mass at the Basilica of St. Francis, his...
Hard truths and deep prayer marked the Metis delegation’s hour with Pope Francis, said bishops who were in the room when nine Metis elders and residential school survivors spoke with the Pope. “A lot of hard truths were spoken, but they were spoken in a very...
Two leaders of the Indigenous delegation in Rome describe their experiences meeting Pope Francis for historic reconciliation talks and what they hope will come out of the discussions. Published on the CBC News website...
From March 28 to April 1, 2022, a delegation of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit representatives from Canada will meet with Pope Francis in the Vatican to discuss Catholic involvement in residential schools as well as the lasting impact on Indigenous communities. Salt + Light...
PRAYING FOR THE FIRST NATIONS, METIS AND INUIT DELEGATIONS AS THEY MEET WITH POPE FRANCIS IN ROME, MARCH 28 – APRIL 1, 2022 You are invited to gather at a Sacred Fire on the grounds of Galilee Centre on the territory of the Algonquin Peoples to stand in...
On February 1, 2022, Donna Naughton, Executive Director of Kateri Native Ministry in Ottawa, visited St. Joseph’s Parish to receive the church community’s financial contribution to the Kendaasawin Learning Program. Kendaasawin is a cross-cultural initiative that fosters reconciliation and embraces both Traditional and Christian heritages....
As the delegation of Indigenous, Inuit, Métis and bishops was preparing to go to Rome December 17-20, 2021, to meet with Pope Francis, there was an expressed desire among the Oblates across the country to do something in solidarity with that initiative. The Star of...
Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert will host a sacred fire prayer vigil for Residential School Survivors honoring “Every Child Matters”, opening Thursday, December 16th at 6 pm, with a pipe ceremony and feast. Survivors and community supporters are welcome. Event is...
Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie, OMI speaks of his experience when visiting the Shrine of Guadalupe in Mexico City in 2001. ...
My name is Dorothy Cardinal. I’m an elder from the Alexis Nakota Stony Reserve – Treaty 6 territory. When asked what does Orange Shirt mean to me, I have a mental block. I am an intergenerational survivor of the residential school system. Both of my...
My name is Candida Shepherd and I’m a member of the Metis Nation of Alberta Region 4. I am a teacher and a First Nations, Metis, Inuit Lead at Bev Facey Community High School. I am a long time member of Sacred Heart Church of...
I’ve struggled with this reflection. I’ve written and erased, typed and deleted, and started over and over again. Words are failing me. And perhaps that’s exactly the point. I’ve engaged in many personal and professional learning opportunities regarding First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, particularly over the...
IRS, Oblates and the Path of Healing and Reconciliation We are assured by Jesus, “the truth will set you free”, but there is a long road to travel on hearing the truth and gaining our freedom. The sense is that hearing the truth is the beginning...
My hope is that The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation will become a day of “recollection” to consider publicly and personally what the development of Canada has cost the Indigenous, Metis and Inuit people of this land. Like Remembrance Day, the National Day of...
LAC STE. ANNE, AB – We had wonderful celebration of a wedding ceremony in early August on the pilgrimage grounds at Wakamne (God’s Lake). Weddings are joyful and happy celebrations in Indigenous communities. It is a celebration of a new family, a family that enriches...
