A Word from Bishop Desrochers
June 4, 2021
This week, the Federal Government published its report on the recommendations of the Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. While this is important and necessary, it is overshadowed by the recent findings that 215 Indigenous children were buried in unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. The pain and loss all First Nations people in Canada are feeling following the news of these findings is immeasurable.
I express my deep regret, shame, and sorrow to you, all Indigenous Peoples of Canada. As genuine and simple as these words are, I understand that they ring hollow if not acted on appropriately. Our, and your, consolation is that truth can lead to reconciliation and healing. This truth, now brought to light, challenges us to seek ways to reconcile our hurtful past, with our present, in hopes for a brighter future – a tomorrow that will move us from this time of brokenness to building a new way to be trusted as worthy servants of ‘The Great Spirit’ who is God to all of us.
Our diocese will come together regularly, and, I hope, with some of you among us, to continue to fulfill the Calls to Action laid out for us by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; that is, to find ways of healing our regrettable past and your painful history.
Sincerely yours,
+ Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R.
Bishop of Pembroke
Articles & Resources
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Indigenous Reconciliation Fund – 2024
Update February 2, 2024 : Dioceses across Canada, in their continuing journey of seeking reconciliation with the Indigenous Peoples of what is now known as Canada, have voluntarily committed to contributing $30 million over five years innew funding to facilitate further reconciliation efforts. Dioceses have voluntarily committed to contributing these
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Diocesan Action Circle – Survey 2023In order to better help us serve the needs of parishioners, the Diocesan Action Circle has prepared a short anonymous survey. The answers to the survey questions will direct the work around Reconciliation with Indigenous People in the Diocese. To access the survey, please click the following link: https://forms.gle/LRfMwNTBEmgKQV7w5. You
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Indigenous Reconciliation Fund Diocese of PembrokeDioceses across Canada, in their continuing journey of seeking reconciliation with the Indigenous Peoples of what is now known as Canada, have voluntarily committed to contributing $30 million over five years innew funding to facilitate further reconciliation efforts. Dioceses have voluntarily committed to contributing these funds annually or in lump
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RCCDSB and RCDSB presents: The 2023 Indigenous Speaker SeriesNext April Feature Speaker: Dr. Pam Palmater on Tuesday, April 18th from 7-8:30 p.m. ‘Dr. Pamela Palmater is a Mi’kmaw citizen and member of the Eel River Bar First Nation in northern New Brunswick. Pam has been studying, volunteering and working for over 30 years on a wide range of
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RCCDSB and RCDSB presents: The 2023 Indigenous Speaker Series
Next April Feature Speaker: Twin Flames on Wednesday, April 12th from 7-8:30 p.m. Multi-Award-Winning chart-topping Canadian Indigenous Duo Twin Flames are a husband-wife band made up of Jaaji and, Chelsey June. Together they build bridges across cultures, continents, and styles, Twin Flames, provides a richness of personal history and musical
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RCCDSB and RCDSB presents: The 2023 Indigenous Speaker Series
Next April Feature Speaker: Aimee Bailey on Wednesday, April 5th from 7-8:30 p.m. ‘Aimee Bailey is a Knowledge Keeper from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, the Spokesperson for The Circle of Turtle Lodge, and an Algonquin College graduate. She holds an Honours Degree in the Humanities from York University
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RCCDSB and RCDSB presents: The 2023 Indigenous Speaker Series
Next March Feature Speakers: Three Nolans: Brandon, Ted, and Jordan, on Thursday, March 30th from 7-8:30 p.m. Three Nolans is made up of Ted Nolan, Brandon Nolan, and Jordan Nolan. This father-sons trio have all had robust hockey careers with many achievements at all levels. Ted both played and coached
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RCCDSB and RCDSB presents: The 2023 Indigenous Speaker Series
Next March Feature Speaker: Christy Jordan-Fenton on Tuesday, March 21st from 7-8:30 p.m. ‘Christy Jordan-Fenton spent her early years on a farm near Rimbey, Alberta. Her love of the outdoors began almost from birth and has influenced her in many ways. She now lives on a scenic prairie farm in
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RCCDSB and RCDSB presents: The 2023 Indigenous Speaker Series
Feature Speaker: Cathy Phannenhour on Tuesday, February 28th from 7-8:30 p.m. Cathy Phannenhour is a member of Big Grassy River First Nation Treaty 3 in Northwestern Ontario, Lake of the Woods. Through her unique perspective as a Sixties Scoop Survivor, she will challenge hidden bias, and systemic beliefs, while hopefully
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RCCDSB and RCDSB presents: The 2023 Indigenous Speaker SeriesIndigenous Speaker Series
Next February Feature Speaker: Cody Coyote on Thursday, February 16th from 7-8 p.m. on Healing Through Art. ‘With this presentation, Cody Coyote speaks about how he found healing through art while overcoming bullying, racism, and certain life experiences. He also shares about his experiences as an intergenerational survivor of Canada’s 60’s Scoop. This presentation is an
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2021 Message for the National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous PeoplesWe are called to Healing, Forgiveness, Reconciliation We, the Body of Christ, are called to live in friendship and harmony with all peoples. We are brothers and sisters of our One Creator God. God gives everything to all of us. God creates and sustains the wonderful diversity of peoples, cultures,
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Background for Catholics: Residential Schools (FAQ)Prepared by the Archdiocese of Toronto, July 2021. Over the past several months, there has been a national conversation on the tragic history of residential schools in Canada. The role of the Catholic Church in the residential school system has been a part of...
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Words from Pope FrancisI follow with sorrow the news coming from Canada about the shocking discovery of the remains of two hundred and fifteen children, pupils of Kamloops Indian Residential School, in the Province of British Columbia. I join the Canadian Bishops and the whole Catholic Church in Canada in expressing my sympathy
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Chief Littlechild and Archbishop Smith’s Statement on Kamloops and ReconciliationChief J. Wilton “Willie” Littlechild and Archbishop Richard Smith met this week in Maskwacis, and are offering this joint statement on the Kamloops Residential School discovery, and on reconciliation. Chief Littlechild is a former Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations. He was also a commissioner of
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Statement of Bishop Guy Desrochers Following the recent discovery at the former Kamloops Indian Residential SchoolThis week, the Federal Government published its report on the recommendations of the Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. While this is important and necessary, it is overshadowed by the recent findings that 215 Indigenous children were buried in unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential
Continue reading
