NAN Statement following Catholic Church’s Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery

THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum has issued the following statement on the Vatican’s repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery:

“I am encouraged that the Vatican has finally answered the calls of generations of Indian Residential School Survivors and Indigenous leadership and moved forward with the repudiation of these decrees.

The acknowledgement of these colonial-era assimilation policies will not change the harm done to generations of our people, but we hope it signals a renewed commitment by the Catholic Church to continue to work with us in a good way toward healing and reconciliation.

While largely symbolic, the Church’s rejection of the Doctrine of Discovery provides an opportunity to confront historic injustices inflicted on the original inhabitants of Turtle Island.

The only sequential acceptable step now is full revocation of the Doctrine in order for meaningful change to be made in the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and settler governments.

We now await a response from Canadian governments and authorities, as this Doctrine used to justify colonial conquest is still cited in property laws today.”

A legal concept dating back to the 15th century, the Doctrine of Discovery was used to justify racist and unjust colonial policies that contributed to the assimilation, genocide, and disposition of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the United States.

Indian Residential School Survivors, their families, and anyone requiring emotional support or assistance can contact:

• IRS Survivors Society at 1-800-721-0066 (toll-free)
• IRS Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419
• NAN Hope 1-844-NAN-HOPE (626-4673)

For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca