'A long time coming': Saskatchewan’s look at the now-rejected Doctrine of Discovery
After demands stretched for years and years, the formally repudiated “Doctrine of Discovery,” has been officially rejected by the Vatican.
In Saskatchewan, the news spread quickly, with Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron calling it “a long time coming.”
“It gives us more solid, concrete evidence that the lands, waters and resources never belonged to the federal government, nor the provincial government — they belong to our First Nation people,” Cameron told CTV News Thursday morning.
A Vatican statement Thursday morning said the 15th-century papal bulls, or decrees, “did not adequately reflect the equal dignity and rights of indigenous peoples” and have been rather considered expressions of the Catholic faith.
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Regina Donald Bolen said the Vatican had reversed its position back in 1537 after it received word how the Indigenous populations were suffering, were marginalized and oppressed.
“The Vatican stated strongly at that point, that Indigenous peoples have rights, whether they are Christian or not, have rights to their land, and should not be taken away. And so from the Church's perspective, these political statements have been revoked a long, long time ago — but we heard the request to make that very clear. I think that's what this statement does,” Bolen said.
So, what comes next?
Chief Cameron said there are multiple options FSIN will look towards, which will also include the opinions of individual nations themselves.
“Obviously, some of them are going to be [dealing with] lands and resources, and our animals as well … the fact that the archives and the artifacts are still in the Vatican, for those to be returned, and for those survivors who weren’t properly compensated, and even those who haven’t been compensated [to be compensated] … we’re going to continue to push,” said Cameron.
He said there were many emotions this morning, including tears throughout the FSIN Thursday.
“We have remained consistent, we have remained vocal in our position against the Vatican,” he said. “There were many that felt satisfaction … there were many that prayed, in the end, we’re going to continue to do what we can, to do anything we can, to support those survivors, descendants and all those families,” he said.
Looking to the future, Bolen explained the next steps for the Church.
“[To] really to work on a local level and build relations with First Nations communities. Trying to prove ourselves a trustworthy ally, listening deeply to their concerns and their needs and finding out where we can be an ally in that pursuit of justice,” the Archbishop said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.