OTTAWA—The makeup of the new federal cabinet was praised by the Native Women’s Association of Canada which congratulated the federal government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the appointments of the three cabinet ministers who will oversee portfolios that most directly affect Indigenous Canadians.
The association said it is pleased to learn that Patty Hajdu is the new Minister of Indigenous Services, and that Marc Miller is the new Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.
In addition, the NWAC is “extremely happy” to hear that Dan Vandal, a Métis who has experience working with Indigenous youth, is the new minister of Northern Affairs, and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, and minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. The association has called for some time for the appointment of Indigenous people to head Indigenous departments, and this is a welcome move in that direction.
“All of these new ministers have shown compassion in their previous roles and in their work at the federal level, and we are hopeful that spirit will continue as they take on their new jobs,” said NWAC President Lorraine Whitman. “These appointments are good steps forward for reconciliation.”
The NWAC is eager to begin working with each of these ministers to build a new and brighter future for the Indigenous women of Canada, it said in a statement after the new federal cabinet was sworn-in in Ottawa on Oct. 27.
On the same day, Indigenous leaders were pleased to hear Pope Francis had accepted an invitation to visit Canada to aid in the reconciliation process.
“I’ll welcome Pope Francis when he arrives on Turtle Island (a name some Indigenous people use for North America) to issue a long overdue apology, to survivors and intergenerational trauma survivors,” said AFN national chief RoseAnne Archibald.
(Laura Barrios, Anishinabek Nation)
“The Catholic Church must be accountable and acknowledge their responsibility for implementing and running these institutions of assimilation and genocide.”
“I am calling on the Church to make a number of reparations while they are here and in the future. These immediate actions include returning diocese land properties, and investment and involvement in healing and support programs for our people. I am also asking the Holy Father to renounce and formally revoke the 1493 Doctrine of Discovery and replace it with a new Papal Bull that decrees Indigenous Peoples and cultures are valuable, worthy and must be treated with dignity and respect.”
“I look forward to meeting Pope Francis on our traditional territories,” she said.
Pope Francis has agreed to visit Canada to help ongoing efforts at reconciliation with Indigenous people following the discovery this summer of hundreds of potential burial sites at former Church-run residential schools, the Vatican said on Oct. 27.
In a brief statement, the Vatican said the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops invited the Pope to make an apostolic journey to Canada “also in the context of the long-standing pastoral process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.”
The Vatican says Francis has indicated his “willingness” to visit Canada at a date to be determined.
The announcement of the Pope’s visit came just hours after the newly-minted federal cabinet met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the first time since the October federal election.
Most of the cabinet ministers with Indigenous-related portfolios indicated they expect the Pope to apologize during the visit for the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system, that was established by the federal government.
In anticipation of this visit, the planned delegation of Indigenous survivors, Elders, knowledge keepers and youth will travel to the Holy See, where they will have the opportunity to speak to Pope Francis about the timing, focus, and themes in preparation for his future pilgrimage to Canada. AFN national chief Roseanne Archibald has said she will not be going to the Vatican. The Catholic Bishops of Canada are grateful that Pope Francis has accepted their invitation to visit Canada on a pilgrimage of healing and reconciliation.
“The Bishops of Canada have been engaged in meaningful discussions with Indigenous Peoples, especially those affected by Residential Schools who have shared stories about the suffering and challenges that they continue to experience,” said CCCB President Bishop Raymond Poisson. “We pray that Pope Francis’ visit to Canada will be a significant milestone in the journey toward reconciliation and healing.”
The Canadian bishops recently pledged to work with the Holy See and Indigenous partners on the possibility of a pastoral visit to Canada by the Pope. Following this pledge and informed by three years of ongoing dialogue between the Canadian bishops, the Holy See, and Indigenous peoples, the president and former-president of the CCCB met in Rome with the Secretary of State of the Holy See to discuss next steps on the reconciliation journey earlier this month and in preparation for the delegation.
This delegation to the Holy See will take place Dec. 17 to 20 and is being planned in close collaboration with National Indigenous Organizations and other partners.
“We will invite the delegation of Indigenous survivors, Elders, knowledge keepers, and youth who will meet with Pope Francis to open their hearts to the Holy Father and share both their suffering as well as their hopes and desires for his eventual visit to Canada,” added Bishop Poisson.
Additional details about Pope Francis’ pilgrimage to Canada, as well as the Rome delegation will be announced by the CCCB as details are confirmed.
Canadian Catholic News