Indigenous peoples

The Latest

Members of the Sts’ailes First Nation at Holy Rosary Cathedral last year for the first Mass to integrate a First Nation language.  A Cardus report presents the voices of Indigenous Canadians speaking about their faith and distinguishing it from the traditional spirituality they’re often associated with.

Report gives voice to Canada’s Indigenous Christians, highlights need for religious freedom

May 17, 2023

By Terry O’Neill

A report presents the voices of Indigenous Canadians sharing their frustrations about society’s lack of awareness that almost half of... Read more

Pope Francis address representatives of Canada's indigenous peoples at the archbishop's residence in Québec City.

U.S. and Canadian bishops join Vatican’s condemnation of colonialist ‘doctrine of discovery’

Mar 30, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The U.S. and Canadian bishops released statements Thursday praising the Vatican’s repudiation of the “doctrine of discovery.” Read more

Pope Francis started his Canada trip by visiting the cemetery and chapel of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows in Maskwacis, Alberta, on July 25, 2022.

Vatican: ‘Doctrine of discovery’ is not Catholic teaching

Mar 30, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The legal concept of the “doctrine of discovery” is “not part of the teaching of the Catholic Church,” the Vatican... Read more

Painting by Dióscoro Puebla depicting the arrival of Christopher Columbus in America, on Oct. 12, 1492.

Historian: Church did not give ‘carte blanche’ for mistreatment of indigenous in Americas

Aug 10, 2022

By David Ramos

Historian and professor Íñigo Fernández pointed out that shortly after the discovery of America, “the Church in fact began to... Read more

Pope Francis walked with a cane into Paul VI Hall for his Wednesday audience on Aug. 3, 2022.

Pope Francis: Canada is ‘writing a new page’ in Church’s relationship with indigenous peoples

Aug 3, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope said that his visit to Canada was "a different journey” from the other international trips of his pontificate. Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on a papal flight August 14, 2014.

Pope Francis: Canada's residential schools system was 'cultural genocide'

Jul 30, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis has agreed with the view that the forced removal of Indigenous children and their treatment in Canada’s residential... Read more

Pope Francis address indigenous young people and elders in Iqaluit, Canada, on July 29, 2022, on the final day of his weeklong trip to Canada.

Choose light over darkness, Pope Francis tells young people in Iqaluit

Jul 29, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Some of those indigenous people assembled to listen to the pope had met with him at the Vatican in March. Read more

Pope Francis address representatives of Canada's indigenous peoples at the archbishop's residence in Québec City.

Pope Francis praises Canada’s indigenous people as he departs Québec

Jul 29, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The pope's next, and final stop, in Canada is Iqaluit, in the country's northernmost territory. Read more

Pope Francis reads during the Vespers service on July 28, 2022, at the Cathedral Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec in Québec, Canada.

Pope Francis: Complaining that the world is evil is ‘not Christian’

Jul 28, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The pope spoke Thursday evening at the Cathedral Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec to those engaged in pastoral ministry. Read more

Two Inuit children return from school past a stop sign written in English in October 2002 in Iqaluit, northern Canada. Iqaluit is the capitol of Nunavut Territory in the Canadian Arctic.

Pope Francis’ Canada trip: What is Iqaluit and why is he going there?

Jul 28, 2022

By Jonah McKeown, Katie Yoder

Pope Francis is set to fly to Iqaluit, Canada, on July 29, the last stop of his “penitential pilgrimage” to... Read more

Indigenous drummers welcome Pope Francis to Lac Ste. Anne.

A look beyond the headlines: Pope Francis encounters Catholic life and history on his journey to Canada

Jul 28, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

This “penitential pilgrimage” is dedicated to a real path of reconciliation with the Native American populations, and at the same... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Québec, Canada, on July 27, 2022.

Pope Francis expresses ‘deep shame’ in Canada, warns of new ‘cancel culture’

Jul 27, 2022

By Katie Yoder

Pope Francis asked for forgiveness for the harm done to indigenous Canadians by Catholics in a Wednesday address before top... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass from the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 26, 2022.

Pope Francis preaches on sharing faith with love before 50,000 at largest stadium in Canada

Jul 26, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Developing a theme he introduced earlier in his "penitential pilgrimage," the pope reflected on the importance of presenting the faith... Read more

A teddy bear sits beside a lantern outside the former Kamloops Indian Residential School where flowers and cards have been left as part of a growing makeshift memorial created in response to media reports that the "remains" of 215 children have been discovered buried near the facility in Kamloops on June 5, 2021.

No remains unearthed yet from Canada’s residential school grave sites

Jul 25, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell, Katie Yoder

No excavation has been done at suspected grave sites at residential schools in Canada. Yet media outlets continue to report... Read more

Pope Francis is greeted by a representative of Canada's indigenous peoples upon his arrival in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 24, 2022 at the start of his six-day visit to Canada.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis arrives in Canada

Jul 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

Upon his arrival in Edmonton, the pope was greeted by representatives of Canada's indigenous peoples. Read more

Pope Francis prepares to board an ITA Airlines plane for his approximately 10-hour flight from Rome to Edmonton in western Canada on July 24, 2022.

Pope Francis begins ‘penitential pilgrimage’ to Canada

Jul 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

During his six-day trip, he’s expected to meet with and apologize to indigenous Canadians for abuses committed at Church-run residential... Read more

An Inuit delegation from Canada meets Pope Francis at the Vatican, March 28, 2022.

Itinerary released for Pope Francis' trip to Canada in late July

Jun 23, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The Vatican has released the itinerary for Pope Francis’ visit to Canada, during which he will meet with representatives of... Read more

Pope Francis meets members of the First Nations at the Vatican on March 31, 2022.

Vatican confirms Pope Francis will visit 3 cities in Canada in July

May 13, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope will visit Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit on July 24-30. Read more

Members of the Manitoba Métis Federation meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican, April 21, 2022.

More Indigenous Canadians meet with Pope Francis, amid talk of papal visit

Apr 21, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

As the Catholic Church continues to engage Canada’s Indigenous people and questions of historical abuse, Pope Francis met with a... Read more

Pope Francis meets Canadian Indigenous leaders at the Vatican on April 1, 2022.

Pope Francis expresses ‘sorrow and shame’ for Catholic role in abuse against Indigenous peoples

Apr 1, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

“I want to say to you with all my heart: I am very sorry,” Pope Francis said. Read more