The Archdiocese of Vancouver says it will spend $2.5 million over the next five years on healing and reconciliation initiatives with Indigenous communities in B.C.

The archdiocese said Thursday it began receiving grant requests following last year’s announcement that a second collection would be held in support of healing and reconciliation initiatives, with all contributions destined for local projects.

Since then, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops announced it would contribute $30 million over five years to Indigenous healing and reconciliation initiatives.

The bishops said regional and/or diocesan granting committees with Indigenous and Catholic members would be established across the country to identify projects that further the fund’s priorities, review applications, and submit the requests to the national Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, the new independent registered charity established to disburse the grants. The bishops are recommending the committees be chaired by local Indigenous partners.

The Archdiocese of Vancouver’s $2.5 million pledge will make up nearly 10 per cent of the overall Catholic commitment in Canada. 

The $2.5 million will be distributed over a five-year period after grant requests are reviewed by a local Indigenous majority committee and then submitted to the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund.

The archdiocese said that although the past year’s reports of unmarked graves at former Indian Residential School sites “have heightened awareness among Catholics and all Canadians of the tragedy and suffering caused by these schools,” it has been working toward reconciliation for many years.

Archbishop J. Michael Miller said he was “very moved by the generosity and compassion displayed by Catholics since the news of the discover of unmarked graves at the Tk'emlúps Indian Residential School was first reported.”

Over the past eight months, Archbishop Miller and a team of representatives have met with several local Indigenous leaders to learn more about their experiences and their needs.

After more than $400,000 was raised in last September’s special collection, the archbishop decided to increase the amount to $2.5 million over five years.

“We look forward to directly supporting the goals of local First Nations leaders and showing care for those deeply hurt and traumatized by the Church's role in these schools.” 

The archdiocese said the $2.5 million “will let us support many worthy projects led by First Nations people in our region.”

Funds will be focused on projects and programs that respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action #60, 61, and 73-76, which called for healing and reconciliation for communities and families, survivor-directed work related to cemetery sites of former residential schools, and language, culture, education, and community support. 

Initial grant requests in the Archdiocese of Vancouver have been for projects ranging from publishing the stories of survivors, to memorials designed to bring comfort and raise awareness of the need for Indigenous healing and reconciliation.

In addition to the funding commitment, the archdiocese is working on educational and Indigenous-led efforts and is sponsoring Vancouver delegates to take part in next month’s visit to the Vatican by a delegation of Canadian bishops and Indigenous representatives.

The archdiocese’s Catholic schools have also strengthened their First Nations curriculum and many are deepening their relationships with local First Nations communities, said the archdiocese.