Serious conversations ongoing with First Nations: archbishop

Progress is being made in relationships between the Catholic Church in Vancouver and First Nations communities, according to Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller.

In an interview with archdiocesan Communications Director Makani Marquis Aug. 10, the archbishop said “serious conversations” are underway and many people have stepped forward eager to be involved in the reconciliation process.

“In the preparation draft stage there is a possibility of a covenant or protocol of reconciliation with First Nations,” he said. Details on the effort and what it could mean for the two communities are not yet public.

“We are going to take our cues from what their leadership wants. We know there is work to be done on people suffering from the trauma,” that residential schools caused, and “we have an obligation to do something, to extend a hand.”

The Archdiocese of Vancouver has scheduled a collection on the second weekend of September “to help fund initiatives that will go exclusively to healing and reconciliation with First Nations.”

Recent developments have also been made in Catholic schools, with the creation of resources and efforts to “beef up” the First Nations learning component in the curriculum. St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Secondary School, which was built near the site of the former St. Paul’s Residential School in North Vancouver, has for years welcomed artists from the Squamish First Nation to decorate the school as part of its efforts to educate students.

“We should also make steps to better inform our priests and lay faithful,” the archbishop said.

“A lot of people in Vancouver were not born in Canada, and residential schools are quite foreign to their understanding,” he said. There is a “considerable” amount of work that could be done to educate local Catholics on the church’s history as it relates to First Nations communities in the area.

“We have to accept our degree of responsibility.”

He also said there are ongoing discussions with Catholic bishops at the national level.

The Archdiocese of Vancouver is also working with the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations in an investigation at the St. Paul’s site to bring to light truths about the residential school and the students who attended it..

More information about reconciliation efforts, public apologies, and answers to frequently asked questions is available at rcav.org/firstnations.