Indigenous and church leaders applaud repudiation of ‘Doctrine of Discovery’
First Nations and Catholic Church officials in Algoma are calling the Vatican's repudiation of the ‘Doctrine of Discovery,’ an important step toward reconciliation.
They also said the announcement from the Vatican will likely have far-reaching implications for Indigenous people and governments around the world.
Batchewana First Nation Chief Dean Sayers said the statement also calls into question the Canadian government's assumption of jurisdiction, which he said is grounded in the Doctrine of Discovery.
"If the Doctrine of Discovery is being repudiated and it's being rescinded, the foundation of Canada's legal framework is illegal," said Sayers.
"We have to begin the transition of returning the lands to the owners. You just don't go into someone's yard and say 'this is mine because I declare it.'"
Last year, Pope Francis issued an apology to Canada's Indigenous people for the Catholic Church's role in residential schools.
Bishop Thomas Dowd of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie said like that apology, the formal repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery is born out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
"And that's what the document today says," said Dowd, adding that rather than rescinding the doctrine, the Vatican is taking a stronger tone in repudiating it.
"That one word is the critical piece in my view that differentiates this from previous statements."
"I see this as a step forward," he continued. "It's one step, and it opens the door for a new conversation on relationships between all kinds of communities and First Nations."
"This helps with being able to give some healing, to help with closure," added Sayers.
Dowd said he's pleased by the recent accelerated pace of the Church's acceptance of historical truths.
Sayers, meantime, said this latest statement from the Vatican means more discussions with the federal and provincial governments about jurisdiction.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.