There will be a number of events around the community to mark the 2nd National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
If you have an event you would like to add to this list and news bulletin, please email communications@archwinnipeg.ca
Walking the Paths: From the Truth of Residential Schools to Reconciliation - September 18-25, 2022
Join Westworth United Church for a full week of events and workshops focusing on the stories of Brandon Indian Residential School and Assiniboia Residential School. The week includes: An evening with Cree Elder Gloria Cook called “Our Journey as Cree People”, a worship service led by Cree Elder Stan McKay with Walking Wolf Singers and Oji-Cree Singer Keely McPeek, complimentary lunch prepared by Feast Bistro, and more! For more information, contact Westworth United Church at office@westworth.ca Click here to view the event poster.
Orange Shirt Day: Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada - September 30, 2022
Join Long Plain First Nation at the Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada on September 30, 2022, for a day of walking together in healing. A Reconciliation Walk will begin at 9:30 am at City Hall to honour the journey of survivors and remember those who didn't make it home. A Round Dance and Pow-Wow Dancers will take place afterwards. Lunch and snacks will be provided. For more information, please contact Lorraine Daniels at 204-239-6464 or Patsy Myran at 204-390-5344.
Mass at St. Kateri Parish - September 30, 2022
On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Archbishop Richard Gagnon will say mass at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish at 11:00 am. There will be drumming beforehand at 10:00 am and a lunch to follow mass. More details to follow.
Honouring Our Learning Path Towards Truth and Reconciliation
Ahead of the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, join Reconciliation Education in an important conversation with Dene Elder & Survivor Margaret Reynolds (Saskatchewan) with celebrated Anishnaabe film actor, hip hop artist and activist for reconciliation, Samian (Québec). Both, are featured in the online course, 4 Seasons of Reconciliation. Click here to register for FREE.
In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, WAG-Qaumajuq in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will be hosting a day of special programming.
Join us for a NCTR 1-hour national broadcast, followed by a book launch of with Dr. Sean Carleton, and take part in a public discussion on what you need to know about the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools.
Open to the public. General admission fees will be donated to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Self-identifying Indigenous peoples are always welcome, free of charge.
OTTAWA, July 18, 2022 – The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the Fund is officially accepting proposals and distributing funds for projects in support of healing and reconciliation. Projects are determined locally in consultation with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples, and the first proposal received approval on July 15, 2022.
The Fund has already collected $4.6 million from Catholic dioceses across the country, as part of a nationwide commitment to raise $30 million over the next five years. Project proposals from Diocesan / Regional Reconciliation Committees are being presented to the Fund, as part of an effort to support and encourage local collaboration between Catholic entities and Indigenous partners. All applications for funding must first be submitted through local Diocesan / Regional Reconciliation Committees.
Click here to read the full press release from the CCCB
July 26, 2022 - Photos from Mass at Commonwealth Stadium and Lac Ste. Anne
July 25, 2022 - Photos from Maskwacis Residential School Site
July 29, 2022 - Meeting with a Delegation of Indigenous Peoples in Quebec
July 28, 2022 - Holy Mass at the National Shrine of Ste. Anne de Beaupre
July 26, 2022 - Participation in the Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage Site
July 26, 2022 - Mass at Commonwealth Stadium
July 25, 2022 - Meeting with Indigenous peoples and members of Sacred Heart
July 25, 2022 - Returning moccasins, pope apologizes for church role in residential schools
July 25, 2022 - Chief Wilton Littlechild greets Pope Francis in Maskwacis, Alberta
July 24, 2022 - Archdiocese of Edmonton Press Conference
Salt & Light Media - Live Coverage of the Papal Visit
For live coverage and up-to-date videos of the Pope's visit and various events that will take place throughout Edmonton, Quebec City and Iqaluit, go to Salt & Light Media's website, here.
Living With Christ - Pray with Pope Francis
Living With Christ has released a FREE resource for following along with the Papal Visit events throughout the week of July 25-29th.
Click the image to access this downloadable booklet. You can view it online or print your own copy.
Papal Visit to Edmonton - July 21, 2022
The Archdiocese of Winnipeg - The Archdiocese of Winnipeg is sponsoring a chartered bus of Indigenous Elders who attended Residential Schools in our communities to attend the Papal Visit in Edmonton. Archbishop Gagnon, along with a small planning committee, will accompany them.
The group departs on Saturday, July 23rd, in the afternoon and will go to Edmonton. They will attend the meeting with Indigenous peoples at the Former Ermineskin Residential School in Maskwacis, Alberta, on Monday, July 25th. On Tuesday, July 26th, they will attend Holy Mass at Commonwealth Stadium and then the Pilgrimage to the site of Lac Ste. Anne and Liturgy of the Word. They will depart Wednesday, July 27th and return to Winnipeg on Thursday, July 28th.
Please remember in your prayers this important pilgrimage that is making its way across the country for the Papal Visit. Let us pray that much good fruit will come from Pope Francis’ visit and that this will be a significant step towards truth, healing, and reconciliation.
Catholic Bishops Welcome Announcement of Program for Papal Visit to Canada
Read the Media Release from the CCCB
Find the Vatican Website Link here
Ottawa - The Vatican has released additional details regarding the Papal Visit to Canada, July 24-29, 2022. The Pope’s visit will provide an opportunity for him to listen and dialogue with Indigenous Peoples, express his heartfelt closeness and address the impact of residential schools in Canada. The papal visit will also provide an opportunity for the shepherd of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics to connect with the Catholic community in Canada.
The Holy Father will travel within Alberta (based in Edmonton) from July 24-27, followed by a visit to Quebec City and Ste. Anne-de-Beaupré, July 27-29. Pope Francis will visit Iqaluit, Nunavut the afternoon of July 29 before returning to Rome.
Drawing on the theme, “Walking Together”, the Holy Father’s journey of reconciliation, healing and hope includes visits to a former residential school, Indigenous pilgrimage sites, two public Masses and a mix of private and public events. There will be tickets available (free) for a limited number of events, all of which will be broadcast and accessible via live stream.
For ticket information, to volunteer, donate or learn more, visit www.papalvisit.ca (English) or www.visitepapale.ca (French). Please continue to pray for the health of Pope Francis and for all those engaged in the ongoing healing and reconciliation journey.
Catholic Bishops Welcome Announcement of Dates and Hub Cities for Papal Visit to Canada
Read the media release from the CCCB
Memo from Archbishop Richard Gagnon Regarding the Papal Visit
(Click the image to view)
Metis praise Pope Francis for listening - The Catholic Register
Manitoba Metis meet with Pope at the Vatican - The Globe and Mail
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President David Chartrand has released a statement regarding the Pope's Apology and the Red River Métis delegation that is going to Rome later this month. Archbishop Gagnon and Archbishop Legatt will join the Red River Métis for this delegation.
There are many resources available to us as we witness the historical Delegation of Indigenous Peoples to Rome to visit the Holy Father.
Salt & Light Media is covering the media briefings and events throughout the coming week. Their updates and videos can be found here.
Audience with delegations of Canadian Indigenous Peoples and Apology from Pope Francis
Media Briefing following the meeting between Pope Francis and delegates from the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
John Longhurst from the Winnipeg Free Press is joining the delegation and reporting on the events happening there. You can find his full coverage from the Faith section of the Winnipeg Free Press online here.
Article: Métis Delegates first to meet with the Pope
Article: Sunrise ceremony before Papal visit
Article: Papal Apology for Catholic Church's role in residential schools
Article: Special human moment made everyone smile
The Catholic Register will also provide coverage of the delegation. Their resources and articles can be found here.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has shared the following resources with us: In solidarity with the Indigenous Delegation to the Holy See, Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle has developed two resources: a prayer card and a document entitled Sacred Fire and Prayer Wave for Healing and Reconciliation. The resources can be found on the Circle’s website, here.
Archbishop Gagnon invites all the faithful in the Archdiocese of Winnipeg to join him in praying a novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe ahead of the delegation of the Indigenous People to Rome to meet the Holy Father.
We will pray the nine-day novena from Sunday, March 20, 2022, to Monday, March 28, 2022.
The novena goes as follows:
O Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Guadalupe
intercede for us with your Son
That we who live in this land,
Indigenous and non-Indigenous together,
may experience healing and reconciliation,
on a renewed journey for justice and peace for our children.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Our Father…
Hail Mary… (x10)
Glory Be…
Father of us all, we acknowledge the truth, and we seek to work for reconciliation amongst the children of your family; between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Canadians. As Pope Francis continues to meet at the Vatican with the First Nations, the Metis, and the Inuit, we ask you to help him to listen with all his heart. Give the delegates wisdom as they advise the Pope and help him to discern a good response. On our part, we commit ourselves to work for reconciliation not just in words but in action. Help us live together in peace, justice, and mutual respect. We thank You for all your many blessings. Let a new joy leap into the hearts of all of us. Amen.
In solidarity with the Indigenous Delegation to the Holy See, Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle has developed two resources: a prayer card and a document entitled Sacred Fire and Prayer Wave for Healing and Reconciliation. The resources can be found on the Circle’s website, here.
December 7, 2021 – After careful assessment of the uncertainty and potential health risks surrounding international travel amid the recent spread of the Omicron variant, the Canadian Bishops, Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami have jointly decided to reschedule a delegation to the Vatican in December 2021 to the earliest opportunity in 2022.
The decision to postpone was a heartbreaking one, made after careful consultation with delegates, family members, community leaders, public health officials and the leadership of each of the three National Indigenous Organizations. Particularly for many elderly delegates as well as those who live in remote communities, the risk of infection and the fluid nature of the evolving global situation presents too great a threat at this time.
We take comfort in the desire, conveyed to us by the Holy See, that the safety of the delegation should inform any decision to move forward. It is also important to note that the delegation is postponed not cancelled.
Currently, the world’s health experts are still learning about the transmissibility of the Omicron variant. As more information becomes available, we will continue to assess the feasibility of future travel plans, based on guidance from the Canadian government and relevant international authorities.
Our shared commitment to walking together towards healing and reconciliation remains strong. We understand that the Holy See is very much committed to rescheduling this visit in the new year and we look forward to the opportunity for Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, residential school survivors, and youth to participate in private meetings with Pope Francis.
For further information:
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops – communications@cccb.ca
Assembly of First Nations – jamiem@afn.ca
Métis National Council – jannav@metisnation.ca
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami – media@itk.ca
Content from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) website
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Over the past year, a national conversation on the tragic history of residential schools in Canada has unfolded throughout our country.
The Catholic Bishops of Canada are profoundly saddened by the residential school legacy and remain fully committed to working with Indigenous Peoples and communities across the country to support healing and reconciliation.  We also sorrowfully acknowledge the historical and ongoing trauma and the legacy of suffering and challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples that continue to this day.
These pages will provide an update on the latest initiatives as we walk together toward healing and reconciliation. In particular, we have assembled a number of resources related to the Delegation to Rome. This encounter with the Holy Father will include Indigenous survivors, Elders, knowledge keepers and youth meeting with Pope Francis.
This space will provide updates regarding the delegation in addition to providing relevant information for educational and spiritual resources, assist the media in their coverage and inform anyone interested in learning more about the ongoing journey to healing and reconciliation.
Resources for Parishes and the Faithful
Advent Video Series on Healing and Reconciliation
For more information, contact the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops at communications@cccb.ca.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, Winnipeg – “We are servants of reconciliation,” said Archbishop Richard Gagnon in his remarks at the beginning of Mass at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Winnipeg, organized to help mark Canada’s first official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
There was a sense of family as parishioners trickled into the new church building of St. Kateri Parish. In early 2021, the parish relocated to their present site on Flora Street to better accommodate the needs of the mostly-Indigenous community. The building was purchased from the Aberdeen Evangelical Mennonite Church, members of which were present at the Celebration.
Before Mass, Elder Percy Flett carried the community’s prayers with him as he prayed with the Sacred Pipe. A number of priests of the North Winnipeg Deanery concelebrated with Archbishop Gagnon.
Reflecting on the day’s readings, Archbishop Gagnon said in his homily that, “God uses very unlikely people to bring about restoration and healing.” The experiences of the Jewish people in the Old Testament were filled with the unexpected, as witnessed to in today’s reading from the Book of the Prophet Nehemiah. They often strayed, and we continue to do so today, but God can bring about the good amidst the chaos.
“Faith is connected to healing, and building up, and good ordering of a person’s life,” said Archbishop Gagnon. “That’s what it’s meant to be. It can be distorted, as we see historically in our country, but God meant our spiritual life to be a principle of healing and order, to give our life dignity and to respect the dignity of others. That’s what the spiritual life is meant for.”
Margot Lavoie of St. Kateri Parish in her remarks at the end of Mass, said, “Today, our hearts can sing in joy even if there still remain heartaches to be healed and tears to be wiped away. Healing takes time. And as we let compassion and love transpire in our actions, we can journey in hope. Light overcomes darkness.”
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About the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: September 30th is Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – a day meant to honour the victims and survivors of Canada’s residential school system along with their families. The day also marks the importance of relationships between the First Peoples of this land and the non-Indigenous people of Canada, and also presents an opportunity to listen to and reflect on the stories within our Indigenous and First Nations communities.
All are encouraged to take part in community-organized activities marking the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
About St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish: St. Kateri Tekakwitha Aboriginal Church was established in 1979 to serve the Indigenous community within the Archdiocese of Winnipeg. The parish recently relocated to 265 Flora Avenue, having purchased the building from the Aberdeen Evangelical Mennonite Church. The current pastor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church is Rev. Arokia Vijay Deivanayagam, OMI. For more information, please phone 204-783-7215 or email the parish office at st.kateri@shaw.ca.
Reconciliation Education by the First Nations University of Canada
Courage and Conviction - A Documentary by the Knights of Columbus about Christopher Columbus
Click the image above to purchase official Papal Visit keepsakes online!
"Our Solidarity Fund for Truth, Healing and Reconciliation is a sincere effort to bring new life and new hope into our relationship with Indigenous peoples... The Archdiocese of Winnipeg is committed to this fund in unity with the other dioceses in Manitoba." - Archbishop Richard Gagnon
Click here to view the entirety of Archbishop Gagnon's Letter.
Solidarity Fund Brochure - Inside
Solidarity Fund Brochure - Outside