“The Church, shaped by Christ’s call to reconciliation and peace, is committed to increasing our advocacy and public engagement on issues related to Indigenous justice.”
Resources
Below are a number of resources that you might find helpful.
Archdiocese Ottawa-Cornwall
Visit our YouTube channel to see our most recent video resources.
Kateri Native Ministry
Kateri Native Ministry is a locally based ministry that has been committed to the healing, reconciliation and spiritual growth of Indigenous people for over 20 years. They are headquartered in eastern Ontario and serve in communion with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. With their Outreach Missions they are now touching the hearts of people across Canada.
Kateri Native Ministry is a key collaborator in the Archdiocesan Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Relations Committee providing:
- leadership
- knowledge
- wisdom
- guidance
Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle
Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle is a Catholic coalition of Indigenous Peoples, bishops, clergy, lay movements and institutes of consecrated life, engaged in renewing and fostering relationships between the Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
Catholics for Truth and Reconciliation
A lay lead initiative, Catholics for Truth and Reconciliation has opportunities for donations, education and a chance to commit to further action so that the reconciliation efforts are ongoing and not just a one-time event.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website has many good resources to get a better understanding of the Residential Schools. The following are some of the reports that might be of interest.
Official reports from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Where are the Children buried?
Report regarding the burial of Indigenous children in cemeteries on Residential School grounds. “Where are the Children Buried?” by Dr. Scott Hamilton provides a detailed account of the history of the Residential School system and addresses the issue of the burial of Indigenous children.
The Jesuit Forum
The Jesuit Forum engages people in deeper thinking and sharing on what’s going on in our globalized world, starting with their own experience.
The forum has released a resource book, available in English and French, “Listening to Indigenous Voices: A Dialogue Guide to Justice and Right Relationships”. This book is intended for use as an educational resource. It was developed with Indigenous leaders and is a good resource for a parish study group.
Kendaasawin: A Cross Cultural Learning Experience
Kateri Native Ministry helps the Healing and Reconciliation process through education activities. They bring Indigenous awareness to individuals, workshops and groups with over 50 participants. For both Traditional and Christian organizations, they tailor each session to meet your specific needs on the road to life, hope and healing.
The Blanket Exercise
Kairos Canada is a Canadian ecumenical program administered by the United Church that focuses on faithful action for ecological justice and human rights. One of the programs Kairos helps to facilitate is the Blanket Exercise that exposes participants to a condensed history of Indigenous Peoples from many perspectives that ends with a talking circle for participants to share their experience.
The Native North American Travelling College
The objectives of Native North American Travelling College are to reach the people, inform them and give them a better understanding of Mohawk culture and heritage. Efficiency, determination, and commitment are some of the keywords used to describe the Centre in reaching these goals.
The Conference of Canadian Catholic Bishops
Canada is home to a large and diverse Indigenous population. The Bishops in Canada share a profound commitment to renewing and strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples across Canada with whom the Catholic Church has maintained relations since the 17th century. The Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council is the key element to this commitment. Consisting of Bishops and Indigenous Catholics, the Council furthers relationships, healing, and joint initiatives with Indigenous Peoples across Canada. Within their own dioceses, Bishops strive with pastoral solicitude to understand and engage issues affecting local Indigenous populations and likewise encourage all the faithful in their dioceses, including the members of religious institutes of consecrated life and of Catholic community organizations, to foster relationships in charity and solidarity with Indigenous Peoples.
Come Dance With Me
This newly released book by Sister Eva Solomon provides new paths for the Church and Indigenous Peoples to engage in dialogue. It offers a look into the use of the Medicine Wheel as a framework and dance as a means of healing. It is the first in a series called: New Paths for the Churches and Indigenous Peoples. Solomon, E. (2022). Come Dance With Me: A Medicine Wheel Practice of Anishinaabe Catholic Interculturation of Faith. Novalis.