Event to offer cultural revival on Aboriginal history

Archdiocese to host workshop on history of colonization

For too long, the colonization of Canada’s Aboriginal people by government and churches has been a taboo subject. The Archdiocese of Vancouver’s First Nations ministry wants to change that.

The First Nations ministry will hold an educational event next month to teach the legacy of the Indigenous people and the effects of colonization on them.

“We hope to get a number of people from local parishes in Vancouver to learn about the history of colonization and the reality for Indigenous people in Canada,” said Deacon Rennie Nahanee, the organizer of the event and coordinator of First Nations ministry.

Inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), the Feb. 11 workshop is aimed at educating the faithful about the impact of the Catholic Church upon Indigenous people and why “apologies to former Residential School students, their families, and communities were necessary.”

The federal government launched the TRC to address the harm caused by Indian Residential Schools, to collect first-hand testimonies, and to find ways of reconciling with the Indigenous people.

“For a long time Canada’s history of colonization has been a taboo subject, something that was considered inappropriate to discuss,” Deacon Nahanee said. “In our Church community, this is especially true when recalling the role played by various members and religious orders of the Church in Canada.”

He noted the archdiocese’s desire to move forward in bridging relationships with Aboriginals by educating non-Aboriginal Catholics about the facts of colonization history. The workshop will allow Catholics to “hear from Aboriginal witnesses” as well as provide “time for self-reflection and guidance on what’s next for us as members of the Mystical Body of Christ.”

The full day workshop begins 9-4 p.m. at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre in the Karol Wojtyla Hall. A complimentary lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Deacon Nahanee at 604-683-0281 ext. 50241 or at firstnations@rcav.org.

jtng@rcav.org