In fact, the delegation that came to Rome to meet Pope Francis was made up of three groups, with their own distinctive dress and insignia, each of which had its own personal meeting with the pope, before the shared concluding audience, in which the pope addressed them all together. They strongly affirm their cultural identity. In total, according to the 2016 census, they were 4.3 percent of Canada’s total population, but the number was soaring, having grown by 39 percent since 2006.Įach of these three components now has its own assemblies or representative bodies, with its own authorities. In the past they were commonly referred to as “Eskimos,” and they numbered 65,025 in 2016. The third component is that of the Inuit, the people of the northernmost lands, the Arctic lands. Canada is the only country where such a group is recognized with its own specific identity. Then there is the group of Métis (“mestizos”), born from the encounter between indigenous people and Europeans, 587,545 people were counted in 2016.
In 2016 there were about one million people counted among the First Nations (exactly 977,230). Today there are 634 groups with about 50 different languages. The term “First Nations” must be read in relation to the “successive” groups – French and English – for whom equal dignity is claimed. Initially there are the First Nations, which include the groups, or bands that were present in these lands before the arrival of the Europeans. Indigenous peoples, the ‘discovery’ debate and the birth of Canadaįirst of all, who and how many are these indigenous peoples? Today we speak of three distinct indigenous peoples. In these pages we will attempt to briefly outline the context of the journey of truth and reconciliation with the indigenous peoples of Canada, in which the pope is intensely engaged, alongside the Canadian Church. Dialogue is the key to knowledge and sharing, and the Bishops of Canada have clearly stated their commitment to continue advancing together with you on a renewed, constructive, fruitful path, where encounters and shared projects will be of great help.” I wish to tell you that the Church stands beside you and wants to continue journeying with you. These steps are part of a journey that can favor the rediscovery and revitalization of your culture, while helping the Church to grow in love, respect and specific attention to your authentic traditions.
In a fraternal spirit, I encourage the Bishops and the Catholic community to continue taking steps toward the transparent search for truth and to foster healing and reconciliation. Any truly effective process of healing requires concrete actions. He promised to travel personally to Canada later this summer to continue the dialogue in their “indigenous territories.”ĭuring the concluding meeting, the pope said, “it is my hope that our meetings during these days will point out new paths to be pursued together, will instill courage and strength, and lead to greater commitment on the local level. In the days between March 28 and April 1 of this year, a delegation of representatives of the indigenous peoples of Canada traveled to Rome with some of their bishops for several meetings with Pope Francis.
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