Repairing the Faith

The relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the Catholic Church is one fraught with historic pain and injustice.

Hundreds of years of systemic oppression and cultural erasure from colonial institutions have taken its toll, and today, it remains one of the more difficult bridges to rebuild in the spirit of reconciliation. Faith-based institutions recognize the many steps needed to help Indigenous Peoples heal, from furthering their own education about residential schools and intergenerational trauma, to learning how to better support wider Indigenous communities.

Catholic chaplains are answering this call through an annual conference hosted by the Catholic School of Chaplains of Ontario. Focused on listening to and learning from Indigenous Peoples in humility and gentleness, the conference will educate and inspire chaplains from across Ontario and welcome Indigenous school board leads join. It will include keynote speakers, a tour of the Mohawk Institute and Woodland Cultural centre, and education on Indigenous culture at both Six Nations and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Traditional music, languages, teachings, dance, foods, activities, and Wigwam and pow-wow experiences will be featured.

The knowledge and wisdom gained at this annual conference is integral to making Ontario Catholic schools more inclusive for all. The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) is contributing to help repair the faith between these two communities in the hope of building respectful relations with Indigenous Peoples. The conference is a stepping stone in the process to enhance knowledge about Indigenous culture, history and heritage. 

Diocese of Hamilton