Statement from AFN National Chief RoseAnne Archibald on Pope Francis visit

“I’ll welcome Pope Francis when he arrives on Turtle Island to issue a long-overdue apology to survivors and intergenerational trauma survivors. Meegwetch to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) for quickly acting on our request. The Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Call to Action #58 is completed.

I reiterate that the Catholic Church must be accountable and acknowledge their responsibility for the great harm caused by their direct role in the institutions of assimilation and genocide that they ran.

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 back to First Nations on whose traditional lands they are situated; and investment into long-term healing initiatives beyond their recent commitment of $30 million announced September 27, 2021, to ensure support programs and services for survivors and their descendants.

Over 100 years of church efforts have resulted in the destruction of the social fabric of First Nations. Now, equal time, energy, and resources must be made available to rebuild our children’s lives, our families and communities.

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.”

Contact:
Jamie Monastyrski
Press Secretary | Secrétaire de presse | Assembly of First Nations
Cell: (613) 612-7229  | jamiem@afn.ca